Independent press: do not be afraid to resign, dear colleagues
In Senegal, the press today represents a real problem for the country’s economic, cultural and social development, when it should be a lever. The press should be both custody and the propulsion engine for national development. We need a free, independent and deeply patriotic press. Our job is to tell real stories for the benefit of our communities, so that solutions are provided.
But currently, our news rooms are too often transformed into political shields, and more visibly, in the armed wing of the opposition.
When the press is a partisanous position against a power in place, what remains of journalism? This nevertheless noble, fascinating and deeply spiritual profession could truly relieve communities, if his actors fully played their role of accuracy, revealing with integrity.
Senegal is a historical turning point in its economic existence. The recent report of the Court of Auditors is resounding proof. This context requires each aroused and responsible citizen that he is positioned at the forefront to defend the nation. This nation that reads us, by blood, by earth, or by history.
Civil society, opposition, all living forces must adopt a republican posture, in the light of the serious irregularities noted. If we really like this country, then the hour of civic engagement and economic patriotism has come.
Senegalese investors have just launched a strong message this Friday, April 11, 2025.
Indeed, they responded favorably to the public call to the Savings (APE) of the State of Senegal. Scheduled for an amount of 150 billion FCFA by April 18, 2025, the subscribers exceeded the target before the deadline to offer 405 billion FCFA. This represents a strong message from the commitment of our compatriots to get this country out of its financial difficulties. A lesson in trust, commitment, and capacity. As journalists, our role is also to decipher, to support the interests of our community, because politicians have a mandate, but the people are permanent.
As an investigation journalist, I recently, during my research, discovered a locality that consumers outside the African continent revealed to me. They, at a distance, saw what we have not seen, us, local journalists. On the spot, the inhabitants told me that I was the first journalist to set foot in their homes. Incredible, but true.
And yet, we are more than 2,000 journalists holding press cards, not counting citizen journalists on social networks. Do we have to take a break and rethink our journalism model? Because in this extreme precariousness, some, out of fear, accept miserable wages and move away from good practices to satisfy bosses to the disconnected agendas of the people.
“Journalism in Africa is proof of love,” said a colleague from Chad. I would say more: journalism is proof of faith in Africa. Resign as many times as necessary. You will always find something to live with dignity. Allah (Swt) never abandons those who act with sincerity, values and convictions.
Yes, nothing is easy. But it is our duty to share our experiences, to shed light on the way of those who are still stuck in slave editors.
I may not have the record for resignations in the press, but I have a course that still resonates. In March 2021, during the Sweet Beauty affair, I resigned in silence.
I underwent extreme animosities, which I may reveal one day. But I resigned because it was the only possible human decision. I had foreseen that the country was going to sink, and we saw what happened. Dead, then a trial concluding that there was no rape. Wasn’t I right?
Do I not have the right to exist, to live, to exercise my profession out of passion, in silence, despite the horrors that I continue to undergo? My faith, and the spiritual support of my family and my loved ones save me whenever I feel the manipulation or the shadow forces have been approaching since then.
Take your responsibilities. Resign! That’s it, to be in line with yourself.
Since March 2021, our press is no longer the same. She may not have already been, but since that date, she has become a national tool to fight a single man in addition, Ousmane Sonko.
Dare to say it, the facts are sacred, the comment is free. An entire press against a man, in a country of 18 million inhabitants, this only exists in Senegal.
Elsewhere, we talk about everyone. We debate everything. With us, since 2021, only one man has brought an entire press to life, animated by men carpet in the shadows, who deny the divine signs despite their evidence.
It is not a question here of defending a politician, because he has his activists and his institutions for this.
It is a cry of the civic heart, to denounce a relentlessness that slows down our country. We have to target the leadership intended for us, not self-sabotage.
This was the case with Senghor and Mamadou Dia. Today, a man has dared to ring the resistance. It was targeted by a kompromat, but he stood up, historically. Who will say the opposite with evidence?
Let’s be mobilized. Let us lead this country to good port, in the era where geopolitics redefines the destinies of nations.
Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye are realizing the dream of Cheikh Anta Diop, Omar Blondin Diop, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Sankara in view and in all. Do not leave the hacker groups Dristing these just historical steps for fear or lack of confidence in herself.
In Senegal, we, independent journalists, can no longer even win scholarships to finance our research, because we are assimilated to a political press. Until when will we refuse to assume our positions, to get up for our missions?
Dear fellow citizens, dear colleagues and sisters, let us point out about our ashes. Dare to do journalism. Let us leave a real legacy to the worthy generations who will come after us.
Brisons the chains as long as it is time.
A salary is not worth your dignity.
Nothing equals an independent and committed spirit to serve its community. Despite economic difficulties, it is possible. A single report can save lives. Create hope.
And the alarming situation of our country requires us a personal, sincere and participative commitment.
Zaynab Sangarè
Investigative journalist
Specialized in Data Journalism
