Media outlets in Senegal have staged a protest against the government to sound alarm bells over what they described as targeted attacks on press freedom.
The Council of Press Distributors and Publishers (CDEPS) organised the protest tagged ‘Day without press’ on Tuesday.
Television screens went blank on private stations while radio outlets were silent.
Most daily newspapers did not publish editions and had blank pages on displayed stands, except those owned by the state.
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Stades and Sunu Lamb, leading sports dailies, ceased their publications a week before the protest due to growing financial difficulties.
The Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) said the “multifaceted pressures” facing Senegalese media include tax inspections, outrageous licensing fees, and illegal suspension of commercial contracts with private media.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said at least seven other private media outfits are on the brink of going out of business.
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“The media situation in Senegal is worrying,” RSF said.
“While the woes of the Senegalese press predate the new authorities, the government cannot remain inattentive to the lead blanket smothering the sector.
“Twenty-six percent of reporters have no work contracts, there are heavy tax debts, and a crisis of public trust in the media.”
RSF called on the Senegalese authorities to ensure this crisis does not deprive citizens of a vibrant press.
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