Simon Ateba, African reporter who heckled Psaki, says payments firm axed site's subscription income

Today News Africa correspondent Simon Ateba provided The Post with copies of messages informing him that his website's offer of a "Lifetime" subscription - for $1,490 - violated Stripe company policies and therefore he'd have to start from scratch with another payment processor.

The Cameroon-born Ateba claimed his publication is "Being treated almost worse than criminals" due to blowback from Psaki's final briefing May 13 and added that he finds it "Suspicious" that he is being booted from the platform so soon after drawing outrage for interrupting Psaki on her last day in the job.

Ateba says he experienced harsh treatment from government officials and criminals while reporting in African nations such as Nigeria and Cameroon, and he stands out for his efforts to get called on in DC. Most journalists in the rear half of the White House briefing room sit politely without getting called on for weeks or months.

Ateba often raises questions of concern to Africans, such as about US funding to fight malaria or about Temporary Protected Status for citizens of various African nations living in the US. But he also shouts out questions that other journalists may be less inclined to pose.

He was the first person in the room to ask Psaki about reports she was looking for a job at CNN or MSNBC. Psaki's final briefing earned Ateba the ire of the White House Correspondents' Association, which threatened to yank his associate membership in response to his unusually disruptive demand that Psaki call on reporters farther back in the room.

Ateba said he believes there's no coincidence that he's suddenly seeing his outlet's income threatened, which he says also threatens the livelihoods of a network of freelance journalists based mostly in Africa.

"If you're in my shoes, do you find that to be a bit suspicious?" Ateba said about the timing of Stripe's action.

https://nypost.com/2022/05/31/simon-ateba-african-reporter-who-heckled-psaki-says-payments-firm-axed-sites-subscription-income/