Senegal: The IFJ calls on government to dialogue with media owners
The IFJ has called on the Senegalese Government to dialogue with media companies following the threat to close private radios and televisions stations for nonpayment of licenses fees. “This is a serious threat on jobs for journalists and on press freedom. Indeed, it is surprising that this decision was made on a Sunday, the day of election, when the provisional results were not favorable to the government” declared Mr. Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office.
The IFJ calls on The Senegalese Government to dialogue with media owners
The IFJ has called on the Senegalese Government to dialogue with media companies following the threat to close private radios and televisions stations for nonpayment of licenses fees.
“This is a serious threat on jobs for journalists and on press freedom. Indeed, it is surprising that this decision was made on a Sunday, the day of election, when the provisional results were not favorable to the government” declared Mr. Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office.
The Agency for Telecommunications and Postal Regulation (ARTP) issued a statement on Sunday, March 22, during the electoral evening to urge private radios and televisions to immediately pay their royalties or their frequencies withdrawn.
Precisely during the election day while senegalese citizens were exercising their democratic right through local elections, the ARTP announces the decision which could affect pluralism in the media and the work of journalists.
While commending the initiative of the Information and Telecommunications Minister, who asked the ARTP to postpone the decision, the IFJ calls on the Government to open a dialogue with media owners in order to safeguards the media businesses and jobs for many journalists and the numerous media workers.
For more information contact the IFJ at + 221 33 867 95 87
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide