Niger editor arrested for defamation
The director of a weekly news magazine in Niger is being held by Nigerian authorities and faces charges of defamation. Journalist Ibrahim Gaoh was arrested on Sunday and could face several months in jail.
Gaoh published an article last week which implicated Niger's communications minister in a financial scandal. He was taken to court on Wednesday, 23 September 2009, and was due to appear before the court yesterday. The International Press Institute has condemned his arrest and argued that journalists should be free to report on government activities which are in the public interest without fear of retribution.
