The Council of Broadcasters and Press Editors of Senegal (CDEPS) has stepped up to denounce the way in which the Minister of Communication works with the media. According to Maïmouna Ndour Faye, on the reform of the advertising code, there was a record of decisions, but the materialization did not follow. She accuses the Ministry of Communication of violating the provisions of the press code. On the other hand, she invites the minister to restore trust with stakeholders in the sector.
“After the call for renewed dialogue launched by the President of the Republic, we expected that efforts could be made, in particular from Minister Alioune Sall. Since then, relations with the press have been extremely difficult… There is talk of reforming the advertising code. We are the first to announce it. And this code, given its position, is unfavorable for private press companies. If you go so far as to hold a workshop, you must invite those who remain. I want to understand, when we invite the Coordination of Press Associations (Cap) why the CDEPS does not go there. No one sent us any correspondence, things were done without us,” regretted Maïmouna Ndour Faye.
Better notes the boss of 7TV: “The minister is in the process of rolling out his roadmap while ignoring any call for consultations. Everything that is done without me is done against me. The media industry is ours. Whatever decision he is going to make, he had to consult with us. Even if we recognize from the point of view of the law that the last word belongs to the Minister of Communication. And the Ministry of Communication continues in this dynamic of unilateral and sectarian approach and to continue in its activities while leaving media professionals on the sidelines. This is what binds us to the minister.”
Continuing her remarks, she adds: “obviously, the minister is waiting to receive a letter constituting a request for an audience to open up to the press. But we would like to point out that we have already sent him two requests which have gone unanswered. However, another request will be sent to him to tell him that this is what hurts us about the way he has managed his sector. He cannot come and put aside the press code that he found there to regulate the sector, he comes with his position and his way of doing things to deregulate the sector. I have the impression that they came with a ticket like the conquerors coming from the West to show us a civilizing mission in the audio-visual sector.”
According to Maïmouna Ndour Faye, no one is illegal. She also calls on the president of the CNERA Mamadou Omar Ndiaye to take his responsibilities in ensuring that the provisions of the press code triumph and publicly call the ministry to order. “It cannot continue to allow the Ministry of Communication to violate the provisions of the press code… If you are a visionary, you must fight to preserve jobs, to strengthen and revive businesses. It must restore trust with players in the sector,” she insisted.
Senegal
