Reuters first with news of Niger coup

Reuters was first to report at midday on Feb. 18 that gunfire had erupted in the capital of Niger and alone in the evening with military sources saying the president was under arrest and naming the leader of a coup, Major Adamou Harouna. Along the way there were confusing and often contradictory reports from other news providers. Reuters’ stringent sourcing rules meant Reuters coverage was authoritative and accurate. Foreign Policy, a prominent magazine and online site based in Washington, wrote: “Reuters has the best account.” Our coverage was accompanied by analysis of what the president’s overthrow might mean for uranium-exporting Niger and a factbox setting out investment by foreign firms including French nuclear firm Areva, the world’s top uranium producer Japan’s Cameco and Chinese oil and nuclear companies.