On October 10, 2026, Senegal's Minister of Communication and Relations with Institutions, Bacary Sarr, visited the headquarters of the Union of Associative and Community Radios of Senegal (Urac). During the visit, he announced that the mechanisms for supporting the press, including the Fund for Support and Development of the Press (Fadp), would be reviewed as part of the revision of the Press Code. The review aims to better consider the realities of different categories of media in Senegal.
The revision of the Press Code is expected to address the specific concerns of associative and community radios. Minister Sarr emphasized that their economic model, social vocation, contribution to local information, and the constraints they face would be taken into consideration. He highlighted that the viability of press enterprises is essential for them to fulfill their mission. The minister stressed that supporting the media is also investing in the quality of information, democratic vitality, and citizens' participation in national life.
Minister Sarr praised Urac for its significant role in democratizing access to information in Senegal. With a network of 140 community radios present in all departments of Senegal, Urac is a major player in the country's media landscape. The minister noted that information that does not reach populations in their diversity is information that does not fully fulfill its mission. He emphasized the importance of accessibility, particularly in a country marked by territorial, linguistic, and social diversity.
The minister also highlighted the need for continuous investment in training, content quality, ethics, and adaptation to technological changes. He encouraged Urac's leaders to make their new headquarters a tool for development for its member radios. Minister Sarr congratulated Urac's president, Talla Dieng, and members on acquiring their own headquarters, which testifies to the organization's capacity for mobilization and its desire to consolidate its institutional autonomy.
During his visit, Minister Sarr reaffirmed his department's willingness to continue exchanges with sector actors. He emphasized the importance of a permanent dialogue with professionals and support mechanisms better adapted to the diversity of the media landscape. The minister's announcement is part of a broader effort to consolidate a professional, responsible, and economically viable media sector in Senegal.
Urac's president, Talla Dieng, and members have been working to strengthen their organization and improve the conditions for community radios to operate effectively. The acquisition of their own headquarters is a significant milestone in this effort. Minister Sarr's visit and announcement have been well-received by the media community, which sees the review of support mechanisms as a positive step towards a more sustainable and diverse media landscape.
The review of media support mechanisms is expected to contribute to the development of a more robust and diverse media sector in Senegal. With a focus on the specific needs of associative and community radios, the government aims to promote a more inclusive and accessible media landscape. The process is set to involve continued dialogue with media professionals and stakeholders to ensure that the revised mechanisms meet the evolving needs of the sector.
Key points
- Minister Bacary Sarr announces review of media support mechanisms to better consider realities of different media categories in Senegal.
