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In Senegal, press associations are keeping up the pressure to demand the release of Pape Alé Niang. This journalist, director of the online media “Dakar Matin” was arrested on November 6, then imprisoned. He is notably accused of “disseminating unauthorized military information” and “disseminating false news”. A rally was organized this Wednesday, November 16, at the Maison de la presse, in Dakar. Reportage.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
White shirt and red scarf around his neck, Ouleymatou Diallo, journalist at Ouest-Tv, respected the dress code. She is there for a matter of “principle”:
« The fact that we are here today is a fight of principle. We should all come together to say no to bullying. Today it’s him, tomorrow it might be someone else ».
The coordination of Press Associations took stock of what Pope Alé Niang is accused of, this relates to 4 contents, according to her:
- the broadcasting of radio messages from the police and the press release from the fire brigade before the hearing of opponent Ousmane Sonko in court on November 3
- a video concerning the death in custody of François Mancabou, a man arrested during banned opposition demonstrations in June
- and finally remarks targeting General Moussa Fall, senior commander of the National Gendarmerie
Ibrahima Lissa Faye, one of the heads of the Coordination of Press Associations (CAP)
For Sadibou Marong, head of the Africa office of Reporters Without Borders, Pape Alé Niang’s place is not in prison:
« In a country like Senegal, it is very anachronistic. So there needs to be a certain openness between the authorities and associations of journalists. If there are problems, let’s try to get together around a table to find solutions. Freedom of the press does not start with the imprisonment of journalists ».
Next step in the press associations’ action plan: a national march scheduled for Friday.
► Read also The Senegalese press calls for the “immediate release” of journalist Pape Alé Niang
