Press Freedom in Senegal Faces Decline Amid Political Tensions and Crackdowns
Johannesburg – Press freedom in Senegal, once hailed as a democratic success story, is on a downward trajectory as the country grapples with political tensions, internet shutdowns, journalist arrests, and a ban on TikTok. Advocates for press freedom and journalists working in the West African nation are expressing concerns over the deterioration of media freedoms, which comes in the wake of mass protests following the arrest of a key opposition figure and ahead of the scheduled 2024 elections.
Sadibou Marong, the West Africa director of media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, stated that Senegal’s reputation as a beacon of press freedom has been tarnished by the increasing threats of physical and verbal violence from political actors. According to the organization, there have been at least 20 documented violations against journalists between April 2022 and August 2023, including unlawful arrests, attacks, and judicial persecution. These incidents, combined with the suspension of mobile phone internet access and the ban on TikTok, raise concerns about the decline in press freedom in Senegal.
One high-profile case involves Pape Alé Niang, an investigative journalist and director of the news website Dakar Matin, who has been imprisoned three times in less than a year. Niang’s most recent arrest was on charges of “instigating an insurrection” after broadcasting a live video about the jailed opposition politician. Another journalist, Abdou Khadre Sakho, was detained on accusations of false news related to coverage of the detained opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Niang, who recently staged a hunger strike to protest his detention, believes that President Macky Sall’s government is veering toward dictatorship. Other journalists have also faced legal action, with Maty Sarr Niang still in detention since May, and Pape Ndiaye detained from March to June over false news accusations. The privately owned broadcaster Walf TV was also suspended for a month in June due to its coverage of protests.
The decline in the media environment has left many journalists feeling cautious about freely reporting on various topics. Mady Camara, a freelancer who writes for the New York Times, stated that journalists in Senegal no longer feel free to write without feeling threatened. The decline is surprising to many, considering Sall’s reputation as a democracy advocate in the region. Senegal’s annual press freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders also saw a remarkable change, dropping 55 places to 104 on the index in 2023.
The Media Foundation for West Africa expressed deep concern over the events in Senegal, stating that the country was otherwise celebrated as an example of democratic success in Africa. Borso Tall, a contributor to media organizations including the BBC, highlighted how the law can be used to punish those who oppose the government or simply report on its critics. She noted that the current situation is unprecedented and contradictory to what is known about Senegal.
The crackdown on press freedom coincides with the dissolution of the PASTEF party led by opposition figure Sonko, who faces charges of plotting an insurrection. The government has also cut off internet access and blocked social media platforms, leading to calls from the global #KeepItOn coalition to end the blackouts. In addition, the government ordered the banning of TikTok in August, citing “hateful and subversive messages” or possibly due to content related to the protests.
Despite these restrictions, young Senegalese have found ways to circumvent the blocks and continue sharing information. Journalist Tall highlighted the resilience of local people who film events and share them later when they have internet access or VPNs. Meanwhile, Niang remains undeterred, stating that he will continue his work once his health is restored.
As Senegal faces political and social challenges, the decline in press freedom raises concerns about the future of democratic principles in the country. Advocates and journalists are calling for greater respect for media freedoms and the protection of journalists’ rights to report without fear of persecution or censorship.
Original Story at www.voanews.com – 2023-08-15 21:36:04
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