Senegalese newspapers outlets stages a protest over press freedom
Senegalese newspapers and media outlets staged a significant protest on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, by going dark to highlight concerns over press freedom under the new government.
This coordinated “day without press” left many commuters disappointed as they found blank copies of newspapers on newsstands, featuring only a black cover with the phrase “journée sans presse” (French for “day without press”) and an image of raised fists gripping a pencil.
The protest was organized by the Council of Press Distributors and Publishers (CDEPS), which described the current situation as “one of the darkest days in its history.”
The council accused the government, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, of taking hostile actions against media organizations, including freezing bank accounts and seizing equipment over alleged tax non-compliance. The government has defended these measures as necessary steps to combat financial mismanagement within the media sector.
President Faye, who took office in March after defeating the ruling coalition’s candidate, rose to power amid significant public protests against the previous administration of Macky Sall, which critics accused of attempting to cling to power by postponing elections.
Faye’s administration, primarily composed of former opposition figures, had initially raised hopes for improved media freedoms. However, recent actions have sparked fears of increased censorship.
Despite the blackout, not all media outlets participated. The private newspaper Wal Fadjri criticized the protest, calling it an “ugly scar on the cheek of our beautiful democracy,” and argued that depriving readers of information was not the solution.
While most radio stations opted out of the boycott, some popular private stations chose to play music instead of news broadcasts. Private television channels, such as TFM, ITV, and 7 TV, continued their regular programming while showing solidarity with the protest by displaying the protest’s slogan and imagery.
Concerns about potential media restrictions have been growing since Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a key figure in Faye’s government, warned in June that the administration would no longer tolerate “falsehoods” from journalists, whom he accused of enjoying “too much impunity.”
Sonko, who was previously a prominent opposition leader and barred from running for president, has faced criticism for his statements, which many in the media interpreted as a threat to press freedom.
The situation for Senegalese media has deteriorated significantly in recent years. According to Reporters Without Borders, the country has fallen from 49th to 94th place in the World Press Freedom Index between 2021 and 2024.
The organization has urged the new administration to take immediate action to protect journalists and promote press freedom, following years marked by violence against reporters, media closures, and arbitrary internet shutdowns under the previous government.
As Senegal navigates this critical period, the media’s struggle for freedom remains a pressing issue, with many calling for a renewed commitment to democracy and the protection of journalistic rights.
