Senegal’s media landscape comprises nearly 260 outlets recently authorised by the Ministry of Communication under a new online registration procedure based on the press code but criticised by part of the industry. The country has 48 television and web TV channels, an equal number of online media outlets and nearly 130 radio stations. Private media outlets give a voice to all political views. Since Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s presidency began in March 2024, public media have been making efforts to do the same. The broadcast media of the Futurs Médias, D-Média, Emedia and Sud Communication groups are among the most popular in the capital, Dakar. Due to low circulation, newspapers are not distributed throughout the country and are mainly limited to the capital and other large cities.

In 2024, the Ministry of Communication launched a media registration platform based on the 2017 Press Code. However, this procedure, which was widely criticised and challenged in court by some media professionals, was struck down by the Supreme Court in December 2025. The National Council for Audiovisual Regulation (CNRA) is set to be replaced by the National Media Regulatory Council (CNRM) in its role regulating news media and social media. In early 2024, restrictions such as internet shutdowns and the suspension of the television channel Walfadjri undermined the right to inform. There is often a close relationship between media owners and political figures, and the lack of safeguards to ensure editorial independence leaves too much room for political interference, particularly during election periods. 

Senegal now has a law on access to information, which guarantees every journalist the right to obtain information held by public institutions and certain private bodies that perform a public service. Despite a legal framework that generally favours the practice of journalism, stakeholders are worried because basic press offences continue to be punishable by heavy sentences under the Press Code adopted in 2017 — prison sentences that President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye had pledged to abolish in his policy manifesto.

Apart from the state-owned media outlets and a few privately owned press groups, almost all of Senegal’s media outlets lack an effective business model. Public funding for the media, which was already insufficient and mainly went to public broadcasters, was frozen for two years before being reinstated in early 2026. Newspaper sales do not cover operating costs, state aid is insufficient and advertising is poorly distributed, with much of it going to public media outlets. The leading sports dailies Stades and Sunu Lamb ceased publication in August 2024 and journalists from major media groups are facing salary arrears. A “day without press” was organised in August 2024 to protest against the difficult economic environment and lack of dialogue with the new authorities.

Coverage related to sexual orientation and gender remains difficult for journalists. Covering certain topics linked to religion can cause tension and even violence. 

While previous years were marked by a surge in arrests and violence against media professionals — with around twenty attacks on journalists recorded during the 2024 electoral period — the security conditions for journalists did improve, only to be followed by a resurgence of summonses and arrests of journalists in connection with their work.