On the occasion of the traditional delivery of the complaints to the President of the Republic, the secretary general of the Syndicat of Information and Communication Professionals of Senegal (SYNPICS) marked the spirits with a strong, committed, and resolutely turned to the future of an independent, ethical and sovereign press.
Faced with the head of state Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to the National Assembly, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, as well as to members of the government and the Union Centrals, the SG of the Synpics launched a vibrant appeal to a “daring rupture” in matters of media governance. According to him, the sovereignty of Senegal cannot assert itself fully without that of its press.
“A free press cannot exist if it is subject to economic or political pressures,” he said, denouncing jumbled wages suspended in the public, ignored reclassifications, arbitrary assignments, and in the private sector, the lack of social protection, delays in payment and non-compliance with the collective agreement.
Three pillars to refound the Senegalese press
The speech structured the priorities of the new Synpics office, freshly elected last April, around three major axes:
1. Structural independence : The union requires impartial regulation, total transparency in funding, and strict compliance with professional statutes.
2. Valuation of actors : Journalists and technicians must be secured in their rights, recognized in their value and protected by good and due form.
3. Digital and ethical transformation : Faced with digital challenges, the SG insists on modern tools but supervised by strong ethics, serving a responsible press.
A shared vision for a model Senegal
Beyond the claims, the SG proposed a real vision: that of a Senegal faithful to its democratic history, a continental model for protecting and enhancing its press. He urged the president to make World Press Day a historic and symbolic turning point to boost a renewal.
In a serious tone, he also recalled concrete emergencies:
• Cored 2024 budget still pending.
• The inertia of the self -regulation organ.
• The absence of press cards for a year.
• The delay in applying the conclusions of the assizes given to the ministry since last November.
A cry of alarm in the face of blockages
The last part of the speech was more incisive, pointing out a controversial measure: a ministerial decree prohibiting the publication or dissemination at 381 media. The SG of Synpics sees it as an institutional sabotage which plunges a whole profession into uncertainty.
“In this museum that has become our sector, job creation begins with the preservation of those that exist. »»
A commitment to freedom, an arrest at the top of the state
In conclusion, the SYNPICS asked President Diomaye to act by guaranteeing democracy, by returning to the Senegalese press the means of its mission.
“Long live Senegal!” Long live the freedom of the press! Long live media and communication professionals! »»
A strong speech, without detour, which places the question of the press at the heart of the national sovereignty site. It remains to be seen what a political continuation will be given to him.
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