The Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Technologies (Mctn) has asked print and broadcast media companies, in a press release to comply with the regulations in force concerning publication declarations and legal deposit. They have until 29 July 2024 at the latest to comply with this rule. If they fail to do so, the penalties provided for by law will be applied, warns the Director of Communication.

Print and broadcast media companies have a few days to comply with the provisions of the Press Code and avoid potentially severe penalties. This is the thrust of a press release issued by the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Technologies (Mctn) to remind print and broadcast media companies of their legal obligations.  The statement signed yesterday by the Director of Communication, Ousseynou Dieng indicated: “For print media companies: it was noted that 51 dailies, weeklies and monthlies of the traditional press and 17 of the digital press, sometimes did not declare publication and non-compliance with legal deposit, in violation of Articles 80 and 82 of Law 2017-27 of 13 July 2017 on the Press Code.”

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The Ministry insists that all print and digital media publishers must comply with current regulations by 29 July 2024. After that date, the penalties provided for by law will be applied, warned Mr Dieng. “All print and digital media publishers are asked to comply with the regulations in force by 29 July 2024 at the latest, failing which the penalties provided for by law will be applied,” noted the document.

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With regard to broadcasting companies, the Ministry’s press release recalls the provisions of Article 94 of the Press Code. This article stipulates that “the exercise of any activity involving the publication, distribution and broadcasting of audio-visual communication services, whatever the technique used, is subject to an authorisation issued by the minister responsible for communication, after receiving the assent of the regulatory body, under the conditions defined by the Code”. “All broadcasting companies that have already signed an agreement and specifications with the National Broadcasting Regulation Council (CNRA) are therefore asked to contact the communications ministry with a view to obtaining a licence in accordance with the law”, the document reads.

By Ousmane SOW 

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH