Senegal

Senegal and Ghana’s sharp decline on the 2022 RSF World Press Freedom Index comes as an unwelcome shock, especially because the two countries were once at the forefront of freedom of expression on the African continent.

As Senegal’s 31 July parliamentary elections draw closer, attacks on journalists have increased, with the majority of perpetrators being politicians and political party activists.

Asking a question at a press conference convened by Senegal’s ruling party Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) results in journalist Ndeye Ngoné Diop being heckled and harassed by party supporters.

While covering the court proceedings of a case involving prominent opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, journalist Pape Malick Thiam is knocked out cold by a security officer and then convicted of assaulting the officer.

The MFWA calls on Senegal to decriminalise press offenses following journalist Madiambal Diagne’s punitive sentencing.

Journalists in West Africa are coming under increasing attack for recording and documenting the abusive behaviour of police and political party supporters.

Protestors killed, the internet disrupted, two private television stations shut down and several media houses were attacked during Senegalese protests.

Senegal’s newly passed media law still upholds criminal sanctions for spreading of fake news and defamation.

The Senegalese Football Federation’s decision to deny registration of online media is strongly condemned by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

Various media rights groups and human rights organisations have petitioned the government over the brutal assault of camerawoman Adja Ndiaye outside a police station.

Senegalese journalist Cheikh Yerim Seck has been placed under judicial supervision after being charged with spreading false news and contempt in the exercise of his functions.

Senegal has just introduced a new law to replace the 2008 Personal Data Protection Law which was one of the first data protection laws enacted on the continent.

Compelling, in-depth investigative features are being produced by West African journalists through an MFWA programme support for critical, independent and high-quality reports on issues of governance, accountability and transparency.

Freelance journalist Adama Gaye was arrested for his Facebook post alleging Senegalese President Macky Sall had an extra marital affair during an official trip abroad.

Journalist Ouleye Mané was detained, along with three others, after sharing a photoshopped image that showed a naked body resting on Senegalese President Macky Sall’s chest.

Of particular concern to the media community is article 192 of Senegal’s new press code, which states that a district chief executive and other authorities can suspend a media house if a publication is deemed to be a “threat to the national security.”