Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Diedhiou Ali Bocar fjm-14
liberty of mass media in Senegal
Senegal is located at the tip of West Africa, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The country has 11 administrative regions and covers an area of 196, 722 sq km (BBC, 2006). The Gambia, a former British colony, is an enclave completely within the Senegalese territory. The other neighboring countries are Mauritania, Guinea Mali and Guinea Bissau. The capital Dakar is also home to most of the country’s media organizations
Rights of access to information, like freedom of speech, are inscribed in the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Senegal, the latest version of which was adopted in 2001. The media have access to all kinds of information, including “classified information” or information labeled “state secrets”. Publications by the well-known journalist Abdou Latif Coulibaly on the way public affairs are handled by the current regime are evidence of respect for these rights of access. However, at the same time, there have been many trials of journalists and hours of detention served since 2000 in connection to information access.
Two regulatory bodies were created by public authorities before 2000: the High Council for Radio and Television (HCRT) in 1992, which was replaced in 1998 by the High Council for Broadcasting (HCA). The laws that created these regulatory bodies were intended to allow equal access to public media. The independence of these bodies is doubtful, as evidenced by the strong criticism they receive from opposition parties and civil society. Much change occurred between 2000 and 2005; with the creation of the Telecommunications Regulation Agency (ART) and the transformation of the HCA into a National Council for the Regulation of (CNRA). The Telecommunications Code that created ART was passed on 27 December 2001.
The rights and access to information, like freedom of speech, are inscribed in the principles of the Constitution of Senegal and are generally respected. But the provisions of Act 96 -04 of 1996 regarding libel and insult are strongly enforced, which puts curbs on access to information and free speech. The laws that created the official regulatory bodies were intended to allow equal access to the state media for all players, but the state media’s independence is doubtful and they are facing strong criticism. Positive changes have occurred in terms of good intentions but state owned media, especially TV, are still visibly monopolised by the party in power and its allies.
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