MEDIAS
PAPE ALE NIANG ARRESTATION – Towards a boycott of government activities and a day without press in the coming days
The Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) is tightening its tone in its campaign for the release of journalist Pape Alé Niang. She held a rally yesterday at the Maison de la Presse Babacar Touré. In the event that the colleague specialized in investigations is not released quickly, the Coordination is planning a boycott of government activities and a day without press.
For 31 days, Dakar Matin journalist and site administrator Pape Alé Niang has been in prison in Sébikotane. And since his incarceration, the Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) has been working to get him released. Several actions were carried out including the publication of joint editorials denouncing The Monster, the distribution of banners or spots and even a national march. Yesterday, a rally was held at the Maison de la Presse to denounce the journalist’s arrest but also to demand his release during the second media council held by the CAP.
To keep pressure on the authorities, media professionals are planning a boycott of government activities and a day without press. We are going to get tough. And this week, there is a provision for unconventional action. And when I speak of unconventional action, it is a brilliant action, which would probably take us to prison and we are not afraid of prison,” said Ibrahima Lissa Faye, member of the CAP and president of the Association of Online Press Professionals (APPEL).
According to him, the argument of secrecy does not shake by the actors of the press and members of the CAP. He forcefully told some 50 journalists and media technicians that no one will be able to intimidate the corporation. They need to know that. They just have to prepare the prisons, expand them if they have to, but we are all ready to go to prison. This week, it is planned to go towards a slogan of boycott of government activities. We will take the necessary steps to do so. We don’t leave a day without a press,” continued the head of Pressafrik.
For journalist Momar Ndiongue, if at the end of the hearing of Pape Alé Niang scheduled for Friday, the journalist is not released, the CAP will be forced to go to the next level in its campaign for the release of Pape Alé Niang or PAN. The total and complete boycott of all government activities is not excluded. Nor do we exclude a day without a press because, today, we feel that through Pope Alé, all the press would be gagged. We are mobilized, we remain in tune and wind of what will be done Friday at the end of his hearing”, said the director of the daily Le vrai Journal.
For his part, the journalist and former secretary general of the SYNPICS section of the national daily Le Soleil, Maguette Ndong, said that it is time to remobilize so that the State releases Pape Alé Niang once and for all so that he can join his family. He mentioned the launch of a petition signed by about 100 journalists and great writers. The president of the Senegalese League for Human Rights (LSDH), Alassane Seck, has asked the journalist to suspend his hunger strike since he will be heard by the investigating judge next Friday. «The Senegalese League of Human Rights renews its support and its availability to accompany him if there will be a trial» assured Seck.
Note that our confrere Pape Alé Niang is currently observing a hunger strike. He will be heard on the merits this Friday by the judge of the second investigation of the high court out of class of Dakar. On social media, PAN announced that due to his deteriorating health, he will not be able to receive visitors.
Source : SenePlus
MEDIAS
MEDIA – Press release of the Senegalese Press Club in France on the case of investigative journalist Pape Alé Niang
Once again, our colleague Pape Alé Niang has been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention for a few days. Accused of leaking information prejudicial to national defence and spreading fake news, he had already been imprisoned a few months ago. This time, he is imprisoned under the charge of having launched a “call for insurrection”, shortly after the arrest of the opponent Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef.
The Senegalese Press Club in France first expresses its support and compassion to Pope Alé Niang, detained since July 29, 2023, he began a hunger strike to denounce the injustice he is a victim.
We draw the attention of national and international opinion to the very precarious state of health of Pope Alé Niang. We strongly denounce his arrest as a flagrant violation of press freedom and freedom of expression.
We therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release of Pope Alé Niang, whose health cannot be compatible with detention and is deteriorating day by day.
We remind the Senegalese authorities of the importance of guaranteeing citizens’ right to information and respecting democratic principles.
The Senegalese press club in France does not rule out bringing to justice the Senegalese authorities who have endangered the life of a journalist.
The life of Pape Alé NIANG is in the hands of the regime of Macky SALL!
Done at Paris, 3 August 2023
The Senegalese Press Club in France
MEDIAS
BURKINA FASO – France 24 emissions suspended
Burkinabe authorities ordered the cessation of France 24’s broadcasts following an interview with the head of the North African branch of the Al-Qaeda group, Aqim. The French channel deplores the decision.
In a statement available on its website, the French media “challenges the unfounded accusations” put forward by the Burkinabe authorities to justify their decision, this Thursday, June 30, 2023.
At the reproach of the Burkinabe government for having granted an interview to the head of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), France 24 replies that it did not grant him an interview directly, “taking care to recount his remarks in the form of a chronicle allowing the necessary distancing and contextualization.”
MEDIAS
SENEGAL – Journalists declare a day without press
The Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) declared Friday, June 16, 2023 at a conference that June 23, 2023 will be a «Day without Press». The decision follows the numerous arrests of journalists in Senegal over the past several months.
Pape Alé Niang spent more than 2 months in prison before being granted provisional freedom. Pape NDIAYE of the Walfadjiri group has been in prison for more than 3 months as well as Serigne Saliou Gueye, Editor of the daily Yoor-Yoor. There is also Maty Sarr Niang, who collaborated with the site Kewoulo, in prison for several weeks.
It should be noted that Walfadjiri television has been suspended for one month since 1 June.
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