Recent riots in Senegal have triggered a government crackdown on the country’s media, placing journalists in a precarious position amidst violence and threats.
Walf TV has found itself in a state of uncertainty in recent weeks after being suspended for a period of thirty days starting from June 1. The private channel has been a staunch critic of the Senegalese government, which accuses them of “broadcasting violent images involving minors, accompanied by subversive and hateful comments that undermine the stability of the state” during the recent riots.
Moustapha Diop, the director of Walf TV and Radio, states, “Every time there is tension in this country, the political authorities blame Walfadjri. Because when there are violent demonstrations in Senegal, we are reporting local news, we are reporting general news. If such events occur, I fail to see why Walfadjri shouldn’t have a special edition or a live broadcast.”
Senegal’s standing in the Reporters Without Borders ranking has plummeted by 31 places due to the persecution of journalists Pape Alé Niang and Pape Ndiaye and the overall deterioration of press freedoms.
The government’s assault on the media has also affected the Futurs Médias group, which has become entangled between the government and the opposition. In March 2021, the group’s headquarters were violently attacked by rioters due to its owner, singer Youssou Ndour, having close ties with the government.
The Centre for Information Science and Technology Studies in Dakar (Cesti) also fell victim to the rioters at the beginning of June, as vehicles belonging to the Centre were set ablaze.
El Hadji Ndiogou Diene, a journalist with RFM, laments, “There are baseless and groundless attacks, and we have to confront this situation. Sometimes, it even takes a toll on our mental well-being because we fear that each attack might lead to something worse.”
Some journalists in the country noted that the surge in abuses against journalists has dealt a severe blow to freedom of expression but added that it is crucial to acknowledge that the press is not exempt from criticism.
Ibrahima Lissa Faye, a member of the Press Association, admits, “There are numerous excesses on our part as well, that’s why we have established safeguards in the Press Code. We need to be able to identify media companies and determine who is genuinely practising journalism, allowing those engaged in other activities to seek alternative avenues.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications is yet to respond.