Senegal's Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo has expressed support for lifting the suspension on advertising conventions between the state and media outlets. In a letter dated October 19, 2026, Lo indicated his approval for the resumption of these conventions, subject to certain conditions. The move is expected to be overseen by an inter-ministerial ad hoc committee tasked with ensuring objective and transparent attribution criteria.
The proposed committee will comprise representatives from various government ministries, including the Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Technology. Additionally, the committee will include representatives from the daily newspaper Le Soleil, the national broadcaster RTS, and three representatives from the private press. The committee's mandate will focus on five key areas: transparency, conformity, equity, monitoring, and cost control.
According to reports, the advertising conventions have been a point of contention between the authorities and media organizations since 2024. The conventions involve the allocation of public funds to media outlets for advertising purposes. In August 2024, media organizations criticized the government's decision to halt payments under these contracts, leading to a "Day Without Press" on August 13, 2024.
Prime Minister Lo's approval for the resumption of advertising conventions is contingent upon the establishment of a "renewed, transparent" framework that aligns with the principles of good governance and rationalization of public expenditure. The framework aims to ensure that public funds are allocated efficiently and effectively to media outlets. The government has been working to reform the media sector, including the implementation of the Press Code and the establishment of the National Media Regulatory Council (CNRM).
The inter-ministerial committee will play a crucial role in overseeing the allocation of advertising conventions. Its responsibilities will include evaluating the performance of media outlets, assessing their audience reach and territorial coverage, and ensuring that public funds are used judiciously. The committee's efforts aim to promote transparency and accountability in the allocation of public funds to media outlets.
While the Prime Minister has given his approval for the resumption of advertising conventions, the exact date of implementation remains uncertain. Additionally, the composition of the inter-ministerial committee has not been made public. The government's decision to lift the suspension on advertising conventions is seen as a positive step towards resolving the impasse between the authorities and media organizations.
The resumption of advertising conventions is expected to have a positive impact on the media sector in Senegal. The move is likely to alleviate financial pressures on media outlets, which have been struggling due to the suspension of public funding. Furthermore, the establishment of a transparent and accountable framework for allocating advertising conventions is expected to promote a more vibrant and diverse media landscape in the country.
Key points
- The Prime Minister's approval for lifting the suspension on advertising conventions is subject to the establishment of a transparent and accountable framework.
- An inter-ministerial committee will oversee the allocation of advertising conventions to ensure transparency and accountability.
- The resumption of advertising conventions is expected to have a positive impact on the media sector in Senegal.
