Senegal media fight may threaten press freedoms

Significance This ‘day without the press’ sought to call attention to what the media describes as existentially threatening tax burdens and a lack of government support for a sector beset with financial difficulties. The press strike comes amid deeper tensions between the media and the government of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Impacts Faye’s reputation as a democrat may deflect serious scrutiny over the media issue by Senegal's Western partners. Anti-government protests are more likely to break out over livelihood issues rather than over more abstract media freedoms. The government will benefit from the lack of a popular opposition figure who can challenge it.