M. Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, President of the National Communication Observatory (ONC), visited several media outlets in the Agadez Region on the afternoon of Thursday, May 14, 2026. The visits included the Regional Station of Radio and Television of Niger (RTN), Radio Nomade, Radio Alternative, the headquarters of the Aïr-Info Group, and Niger Télécom. The objective was to assess working conditions for media professionals, offer encouragement, and emphasize respect for ethics and deontology. M. Diallo stated the purpose was also to "convey a message of respect for ethics and deontology." He showed the importance of media's role in promoting accurate information.
Assessing Conditions and Ethics
M. Ibrahim Manzo Diallo cautioned media professionals against propagating false information, stating they must "be very careful not to propagate false information, to ensure that they are not amplifiers of the threat, nor above all echoes of slander or disinformation." He emphasized that "poorly founded information, if propagated, can cause prejudice, not only to one person, but to the entire country." Diallo expressed satisfaction regarding the state of local media, noting, "we have before us resilient media, which have a role to play in sovereignty and the promotion of good information." The ONC holds responsibility for safeguarding the press and all mass communication channels, ensuring fair access to public media, and upholding ethical and deontological standards outlined in the Charter of Nigerien Professional Journalists.
ONC's Mandate and Role
The National Communication Observatory (ONC) functions as the institution tasked with regulating Nigerien media during the Transition period. Its mission encompasses guaranteeing freedom of information and communication across various platforms, including print, electronic, and audiovisual media, as well as press advertising. The ONC is also responsible for contributing to the protection of cultural identities and the promotion of languages within media content. This regulatory body ensures respect for morals and good conduct in national media programs. The ONC exercises control over the content and programming of public, private, community, and associative radio and television channels, including all advertising. The observatory holds the authority to formulate opinions and recommendations on press-related matters, which it then submits in a report to the Government.
Navigating Information Landscape
M. Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, President of the National Communication Observatory (ONC), cautioned media professionals against the spread of inaccurate information. He stated, "en tant qu’acteurs médiatiques, il faut faire très attention pour ne pas propager de fausses informations, pour veiller à ne pas être des amplificateurs de la menace, ni être surtout des échos de la médisance ou de la désinformation" (as media actors, one must be very careful not to propagate false information, to ensure that they are not amplifiers of the threat, nor above all echoes of slander or disinformation). M. Diallo explained that "une information mal fondée, si elle est propagée, peut porter préjudice, non pas seulement à une personne, mais à tout le pays" (badly founded information, if propagated, can cause prejudice, not only to a person, but to the entire country). He expressed satisfaction with the current state of local media, noting, "nous avons en face de nous des médias résilients, qui ont un rôle à jouer dans la souveraineté et la promotion de la bonne information" (we have before us resilient media, which have a role to play in sovereignty and the promotion of good information).