From the 23rd to the 24th of November 2004, the Syndicate of Information and Communication Professionals of Senegal (SYNPICS) in collaboration with UNESCO's Regional Office in Dakar (BREDA) organised a workshop on decriminalisation of press offences in Senegal.

The workshop was aimed at drawing up alternative solutions in the wake of a planned bill of law to decriminalise press offences in Senegal. It was also centred on highlighting different factors, such as working conditions and accountability of journalists, that contribute to the emergence of a free, independent and motivated press.

Representing the Directress of UNESCO's Regional Office in Dakar, Mrs. Jeanne Seck, UNESCO's Regional Communication and Information Advisor, underlined the fact that since the founding of UNESCO fifty years ago, the organisation has always sided with those who suffer from the lack of liberty, who live deprived of dignity in sometimes intolerable situations. She however insisted that "it is not enough to just review the professionalism of journalists and stabilise media enterprises. We must also establish a professional and legal framework that protects them. A legal framework that is not aimed at promoting impunity among journalists who, in fact, are ordinary citizens with responsibilities."

The Minister of Information of Senegal, Dr. Bacar Dia, during the opening ceremony, pointed out that the President of the Republic of Senegal Mr. Abdoulaye Wade had voluntarily paved the way for open dialogue on the issue of decriminalising press offences. However, the Minister insisted that issue should be tackled from two angles: decriminalising press offences and safeguarding the interest of citizens.

Opening the debate, the Secretary General of SYNPICS, Mr. Alpha Sall underscored the need for decriminalising press offences, viewing the many violations of freedom that journalists face daily in carrying out their duties. Mr. Alpha Sall however stressed that "it was not about totally decriminalising press offences but reducing criminal sanctions levied on journalists found guilty". He added that there are " some anachronistic and incomprehensible measures such as article 139 of the Senegalese Penal Code, which stipulates that on written order of the public minister, the instructional judge is compelled to issue an arrest warrant to anybody charged with one of the offences mentioned criminal code concerning plots and diffusion of false news."

Let's recall that some months ago, the President of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Abdoulaye Wade agreed in principle to the issue of decriminalisation of press offences, inviting at the same occasion all of the different parties concerned to reflect and provide alternative solutions in the event of " an offence (by the press) to a national or international institution or to the dignity of a citizen."

At the end of the workshop a list of eleven recommendations, to be submitted to a committee of legal experts, was drawn up by the participants.