Le Quotidien (Senegal)

Le Quotidien is a major independent daily newspaper in Senegal, based in the capital of Dakar. It also publishes a glossy weekly, entitled Week end.[1]

Le Quotidien
TypeDaily newspaper
FormatBroadsheet
Owner(s)Avenir Communications SA
EditorMadiambal Diagne
Founded24 February 2003
Political alignmentopposition
HeadquartersSodida , Rue 14 prolongée
B.P : 25835 Dakar , Senegal
Websitelequotidien.sn

Launch

Launched by owner/editor Madiambal Diagne—a former reporter for Dakar's Wal Fadjri—and his Avenir Communications SA company in February 2003, Le Quotidien is generally critical of the government, as well as political and religious figures.[2]

Controversy

In July 2004 Diange was arrested pending charge by the government for publishing articles alleging fraud in the customs service and government interference in the judiciary. The arrest came from an alleged breach of Article 80 of the Penal Code, which mandates up to 5 years in jail for anyone convicted of "acts that might compromise public security or cause serious political problems."[3] He was released following international pressure and a press strike.[4]

Expansion

In 2006, Le Quotidien purchased its own press facilities, freeing it from use of government owned printing facilities.

In 2007 the company's attempt to launch a sister radio station in Dakar was halted by the government, but Premiere FM opened after appeal at the end of that year.

References
  1. Senegal Country Commercial Guide 2008 Archived 7 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine. U.S. Commercial Service (2008). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. One example is the unsigned editorial CIMETIERE HOMO, 8 August 2008, in which the paper criticises government, religious, and cultural leaders for their intolerance towards homosexuality, a major taboo in Senegalese society.
  3. UNHCR: Attacks on the Press in Senegal, 2004
  4. Senegal's Day Without Press, BBC, 12 July 2004.


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