Niger's assault on freedom of the press

Radio Netherlands' very good Media Network blog reports that authorities in Niger have taken Radio France Internationale off the air for three months.

The suspension was provoked by a day of solidarity organized by the broadcaster in support of its Niamey correspondent Moussa Kaka. An RFI reporter in the country since 1993, Kaka has been imprisoned since September 2007 for having been in contact with Tuareg rebels in northern Niger. Contact that RFI rightly calls "a necessary part of his work as a journalist."

Amnesty International has called Kaka a political prisoner.

Note: You can sign a petition calling for Moussa Kaka's release by emailing liberezmoussa@rfi.fr