Mamadou Ibra Kane, president of the Senegalese press employers’ association, accompanied by Maimouna Ndour Faye, director of 7TV television, expressed his concern about the authorities’ lack of consideration for the press. He also denounced the crisis facing the media sector since the arrival of the third political change in Senegal, which occurred in March 2024, more than ten months ago.
“This Monday, the CDEPS was to hold a press briefing. We arrived at the press house, but we were unable to access the press room. The director informed us that he would take the necessary steps and inform his services. But this was not done,” explained Mamadou Ibra Kane.
He continues: “Unfortunately, he did not contact me again and today his services tried to contact him in vain. End result: we were denied access to the press center. »
According to him, this situation would be the result of a maneuver orchestrated by the new regime of President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who, for more than ten months, has been implementing a strategy aimed at weakening the private press in Senegal, notably through tax measures. “There is a clear desire to liquidate the private press in Senegal,” he added.
-Mamadou Ibra Kane also denounced the delays in the payment of aid to the press, a sum estimated at several billion FCFA, and described this situation as an attempt to muzzle the press. “The State of Senegal owes several billion FCFA to private companies. The government has taken the decision to unilaterally terminate advertising contracts. In addition, press aid, which should have been distributed for the year 2024, was not paid. It is clearly a desire to economically stifle the press,” he lamented.
In addition, the president of the press employers expressed his dismay regarding a recent government decision relating to the payment of royalties. “Last week, an order was issued regarding the payment of royalties. Surprise: the press companies were not consulted. And, even worse, all taxes on these royalties have been increased,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing: “This policy aims to economically kill the Senegalese press. The fiscal vision behind these royalties is totally disconnected from the realities of the press. It corresponds neither to the interests of the press nor to those of Senegal, which should rather work to create the necessary conditions for the development of a free, independent and economically viable press. »
