“In view of the diversity of its media and the outspoken reporting style, Reporters Without Borders does not dispute that freedom of information exists in Senegal,” the letter said. “But this freedom is often threatened by physical attacks on news media, jamming of radio broadcasts, abusive prosecutions and the jailing of journalists such as Madiambal Diagne and El Malick Seck. Such incidents hurt your country’s image.

“A proposed new press law that would allow for improvements in the media and provide journalists with better protection has been submitted to the national assembly but its approval has been held up for months. We therefore call on you to commit to include the media in your programme and in your priorities.”

The letter to the candidates included a written pledge which they are invited to signed and return to the Africa Desk of Reporters Without Borders. The pledge would commit them to:

• defend and promote freedom of information, media independence and the safety of journalists
• use their influence to convince Senegal’s parliamentarians to adopt the[...]
  
  [Published in AidNews - Read the original article]