The leader of Pastef Ousmane Sonko distinguished himself in the campaign by deciding to dismiss the strained microphones, that of the Senegalese Radio and Television (Rts). It was during a meeting. A way no doubt for him to protest against the treatment of information by this public medium which he considers impartial. A state of affairs which has left no journalist indifferent and which deserves attention.
It should be stressed from the outset that the fact is not new even if it does not justify anything at all. In Thiès in 2012, Youssou Ndour had an almost similar attitude towards the Rts. Me Abdoulaye Wade would have acted in this way at least once. In short, between the Rts and the opposition on all plans, relations were far from good. And with the presence of Director General Racine Talla, a cacique of the regime, that did not help matters under the magisterium of Macky Sall. However, no political leader, whatever his reasons may be, is justified in acting in such a way with a journalist or media technician. For the simple reason that you shouldn’t get the wrong opponent. The journalist does his job of collecting and processing information. What he does with it afterwards will depend on his professional conscience and the editorial line of his press organ. Data that does not concern politicians. The latter, entangled in a permanent rivalry, are concerned with seducing public opinion, which means that the journalist is perceived either as an ally or as an adversary. Which is just a perception. Because if the journalist does his job well, his concern will be neither to please nor to displease, but to inform just and true, that is to say in good faith.
However, if the opposition believes that the Rts does not adopt a fair treatment of information and that they are disadvantaged, which is far from being false, the fact of drawing aside their microphone would be paradoxical. Because, how to correct this imbalance if the Rts cannot extend its microphone to an opponent?
Clearly, journalists and technicians must be allowed to do their job and everyone must remain in their role. Because, the other paradox is to remove the microphone from the Rts and in the evening to go there to record messages. Nevertheless, it would also be judicious and profitable to our democracy, that this public medium makes efforts in the direction of the balance in the treatment. A remark that is hardly addressed to journalists and presenters who are a professional who forges respect. But it is at the level of the supervisory authorities like the power in place to allow the Rts to leave an important place to the opposition in its programs. Moreover, the radio is making significant efforts at this level. He would then be happy if television followed.
It is to say that if the criticisms of the opposition are founded, its attitude sometimes is to be condemned because being able to expose the personnel of the Rts or any other organ of press, with the popular vengeance.
In short, our democratic experience still conceals flaws that we must all correct by telling ourselves that we are all responsible for the flaws and that it is only by making collective efforts that we will manage to perfect it to the great benefit of all. the Senegalese.
Assane Samb
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