This series of measures aims to modernise media regulation in Senegal.
On Tuesday 25 June 2024, during a day of reflection with media stakeholders in Dakar, the Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Alioune Sall, unveiled the broad outlines of an ambitious reform of the Senegalese media sector.
This initiative aims to adapt the regulatory framework to contemporary challenges, while preserving the integrity of information.
At the heart of this reform is the creation of a new regulatory body to replace the ‘Conseil National de Régulation de l’Audiovisuel’ (National Audiovisual Regulatory Council, CNRA), which has been in place for 18 years.
“It is crucial to have a new regulatory body that will take into account the different specificities of the media world
and even social networks,” the minister said.
While insisting on the inclusive and consensual nature of this reform process, Alioune Sall pointed out that this transformation will be accompanied by a revision of the 2017 Press Code, which is considered to be partially obsolete. A central point of this initiative is the decriminalisation of press offences, in line with international
standards.
However, the minister was keen to make it clear that “decriminalisation does not mean that there will be no penalties for misconduct, nor does it mean that media professionals will no longer have to answer to the courts for their actions.”
He also praised the work of the Peer Tribunal of the Council for the Observance of Rules of Ethics and Deontology in the Media (CORED), which should play its part in the future definition of sanctions, whether financial, administrative or judicial.
Transparency in the governance of the media sector was another key point in the minister’s speech. He announced the forthcoming publication of a list of officially recognised media, as well as the disclosure of the true owners of media companies.
This measure is intended to prevent the use of the media as “tools of influence or lobbying.”
The minister also addressed the issue of the fiscal responsibility of media companies, noting that they “remain companies governed by the regulations in force and must also comply with the law by paying their taxes, especially if these contributions are deducted from the income of their workers.”
He pledged the state’s support for companies demonstrating sound financial governance.
Finally, the minister spoke of the reform of the Press Support and Development Fund, acknowledging the concerns expressed by players in the sector about its governance.
The aim is to transform this fund into an economic development lever for the media sector.
ARD/te/fss/as/APA