In response to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s invitation to put forward proposals to improve the economic environment for the media, the Council of Media Owners in Senegal (Cdeps), through its President Mamadou Ibra Kane, has put forward a series of proposals.

When President Bassirou Diomaye Faye received the Convention of Young Reporters on 5 July, he made it clear that he was adamant about the issue of taxation of media outlets. President Faye did, however, open a small window of opportunity by inviting press owners to submit their proposals for better management of this issue. This has now been done. In an open letter to the President of the Republic, the President of the Council of Media Owners (Cdeps) puts forward a series of proposals. « In his letter, Mamadou Ibra Kane writes: « The Senegalese press employers would like to seize the opportunity you have offered to propose solutions to the crisis facing the media.

In a document, entitled « Action plan for the press », the head of the media bosses proposes a strategic guideline for the development of a National Information and Communication Strategy (Snic) and the reform of training for journalists and media technicians. In addition to overhauling texts such as the Press Code, the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the adoption of the Access to Information Act, Cdeps is proposing economic solutions to promote the viability of the media. These include the creation of an approved media management centre, the regulation of advertising, the establishment of a press investment fund, a guarantee fund for media companies and a fund for the digitalisation of the media amongst others.

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In his address to the President, the head of Cdeps paints a bleak picture of the media situation. « Formerly flourishing media companies are now in a state of near-bankruptcy, to the extent that they are no longer able to honour their commitments to their employees, social and medical institutions, and national and foreign suppliers », he said. An « economic crisis » which, in his view, risks « mortgaging the imperative of a republican, free and independent press that is economically viable ».  Mr Kane also points out that the press is « strategic » and « neuralgic » for Senegal, in the same way as all the other sectors in which our country cannot exercise a policy of sovereignty.

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« This economic and social precariousness of the media sector is a threat to democracy, freedom of the press, any policy of sovereignty, economic and social development, political stability and Senegal’s voice in Africa and the world », concluded Mamadou Ibra Kane, who reminded the President that his organisation made two unanswered requests for an audience, on 1 May 2024 and 6 June 2024.  He expressed the will of the press to participate in the systemic change advocated by the new authorities. « Our press can shape homo-senegalensis and sell the Senegalese dream as part of your desire for systemic change. We expect you to show the political will to create the conditions for a free and independent press, » he wrote.

By Mame Woury THIOUBOU / mamewoury@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH