Rédaction Africa Links 24 with La rédaction
Published on 2024-03-02 11:50:39
Since the advent of President Macky Sall’s regime, the principle of press freedom and freedom of expression has constantly been put to the test in Senegal.
After a period of improvement, press freedom under President Macky Sall, especially since Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam has been in charge of the Communication department, has experienced a clear setback, with journalists sent to prison, reporters attacked in the field, and even worse, an unprecedented increase in signal interruptions for certain television channels. To make matters worse, the regime went even further by revoking the license of the Walfadjri Group.
In the RSF rankings, Senegal was ranked 93rd in 2011-2012, then rose to 59th in 2013, 62nd in 2014, 71st in 2015, 65th in 2016, and 58th in 2017. Senegal even ranked among the top 50 countries in the world, reaching 50th place in 2018. In 2019, Senegal achieved one of its best rankings in recent history, placing 49th globally, and then 47th in 2020 before starting a downward trend in the following years.
In 2021, the country dropped two spots to 49th globally, marking the beginning of a decline. In the 2021 ranking, Senegal fell 24 places to 73rd globally, then three more spots in 2022, and a further 31 places the following year (2023), reaching a less than honorable position of 104th globally.
The journalists who have been attacked include Feuz Dione (Buur News), Absa Hanne (SENEWEB), Mor Amar (EnQuetes), Pape Malick Thiam (7tv), Adja Ndiaye (Dakaractu), Malick Touré (Cameraman), Abdou Khoudoss Diallo (Walf), Mame Biram Wathieu (Walf), and Maimouna Ndour Faye.
Journalists who have received death threats include Mass Mboup (Walf), Pape Sané (Walf), Astou Dione (2stv), Ayoba FAYE (PressAfrik-Walf), Ibrahima Lissa Faye (PressAfrik), Babacar Fall (RFM), Babacar Touré (Kewoulo), Ben Makhtar Diop (2mn), and Ngoné Saliou (Sans Limites).
Journalists who have been imprisoned include Pape Alé Niang, Serigne Saliou Gueye, Pape Ndiaye, Maty Sarr Niang (still in prison), Thioro Mandela, Ouleye Mané, and Pape SANÉ (former detainee).
Journalists who have been summoned by the FDS include Alioune Badara Fall (Former Dirpub of l’Obs), Mamadou Seck (OBS), Mouhamed Gueye “LeQuotidien”, Khalil Kamara (Sengo), Abdoulaye Faye (Dakar24SN), and Abdou Khadre Sakho (Senego).
Read the original article(French) on Senegal Direct
