Muthomi Ireri
On Tuesday, media organizations across Senegal staged a blackout in protest of what they describe as a government crackdown aimed at stifling press freedom in the country. The main TV stations, including TFM, ITV, and 7 TV, went off the air, while radio stations like RFM and iradio fell silent. Most daily newspapers did not publish their editions, with the exception of the government-owned Le Soleil and the pro-government WalfQuotidien and Yoor Yoor Bi.
This protest follows escalating tensions between the media and the Senegalese government, raising international concerns over press freedom in what has been one of Africa’s most stable democracies. The media industry in Senegal is also struggling with significant financial challenges, with many outlets facing massive debts that threaten their survival.
The Senegalese Council of Press Distributors and Publishers, representing both private and public media companies, has accused the government of freezing the bank accounts of media outlets over alleged unpaid taxes, seizing production equipment, and terminating advertising contracts without due process. These claims were outlined in an editorial published by Le Quotidien on Monday, though they have not been independently verified, and government officials have yet to respond.
The editorial described the current period as one of the darkest in the history of Senegalese journalism. In June, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who took office earlier this year, criticized what he called the “misappropriation of public funds” within the media industry.
Incidents of police brutality against journalists and arrests of government critics have increased in recent years, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The international watchdog has called on Senegalese authorities to protect press freedoms. RSF’s World Press Freedom Index shows that Senegal has dropped from 49th to 94th place over the last three years, highlighting growing concerns about journalists’ safety and the ability to report freely.
Sadibou Marong, RSF’s West Africa chief, emphasized that journalists are not adequately protected in Senegal, and political forces have undermined the right to inform and be informed.
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
