Despite Numerous Persecutions, Nigerien Journalist Samira Sabou Isn’t Backing Down

Sabou is one of the five journalists recently honored by the Committee to Protect Journalists. This recognition, which led her to New York for the awards ceremony yesterday, November 21, is a testament to the importance of using the most accessible resources available to tell meaningful stories that state-sponsored media typically shy away from. "Sometimes when we are working, we ask ourselves if we're on the good path, so it means a lot for your work to be recognized and for you to know you're doing something good," Sabou tells OkayAfrica.

Sabou is one of the many journalists across the Sahel who had limited press freedom while working under democratic governments but are now even more stifled under militarized governments. On July 26, 2023, the Nigerien presidential guard launched a coup by detaining President Mohammed Bazoum and his family. More than a year after that incident, Niger's constitution is still suspended, effectively removing some protections available to the press under Bazoum's administration.

Due to this suspension, "The institutions that have to protect journalists are no longer working," Sabou says. Without the constitution, independent journalists like Sabou do not have the protections of the now-defunct media authority. "Normally, in Niger, journalists don't go to prison," Sabou says. "But now, we don't have the Human Rights Commission and the Maison de la Press, which makes a statement when you have a problem with the government. If something happens to you, there are no institutions to defend your rights, and working in that situation exposes us."

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The people's voice

Sabou has had a passion for storytelling from a young age. As she got older, she embraced journalism, initially covering a range of topics for Office National d’Édition et de Press (ONEP), a state-run press agency and owner of two of Niger's biggest papers. "I devoted myself to journalism because when the president would go out with the presidential guard, there were stories that the guards would be attacking and killing people," Sabou says.

When Sabou was fired from ONEP — allegedly for posting a picture that parodied the then President Mahamadou Issoufou (whose administration hadbeen a letdown for Nigeriens) standing with his hands on the back of two chairs — it cemented her place in the minds of the people as an outspoken voice.

Upon her dismissal, Sabou turned her Facebook page into a self-funded news page that covers stories that state-run publications may be restricted from reporting. Her willingness to take on investigative reporting in potentially dangerous situations has established her as a necessary voice and a renewed hope for the relevance of journalism today. This is particularly significant given that the Niger government does not recognize online media as legitimate journalism, only acknowledging TV, radio, and newspapers — all of which are state-run.

For her stories, Sabou received tips from her readers or trusted parties and followed those tips to uncover the story behind them. Even as she explains her process, Sabou, who has been picked up from her house by state agents many times, is hyper-vigilant during our conversation, ensuring that she does not reveal information that might endanger her safety.

Despite her challenges, or perhaps because of them, Sabou has an optimistic view of journalism today. It all comes down to the most fundamental requirement of journalism: credibility. "When you create credibility, you will find readers and support. You won't even have to look for the resources to support your work," she says. Sabou has managed to use her platform as a digital newspaper, providing factual and impactful reportage and offering ad space to reputable companies that go towards funding her work. "I don't take advertisements from the government because I want to keep my independence and freedom," she says.

In an environment with limited press freedom, Sabou encourages emerging journalists to leverage technology to share accurate and well-sourced information. "You have to work on the ground. Take society's dysfunctions and bring them to a wider audience, show what we have to correct, and hold people accountable."