Right to information curtailed in Senegal amid protests about poll delay

The article highlights the government’s recent disconnection of mobile internet, citing the spread of harmful messages as justification. This move echoes previous censorship efforts, reflecting a broader pattern of suppressing dissent during political unrest. Security forces further restricted information flow by harassing and arresting journalists covering protests, ignoring press credentials and seizing equipment. Such actions demonstrate a systematic effort to silence media coverage and control the narrative during times of political tension. These incidents underscore critical challenges for open data and press freedom, showing how state control over communication infrastructure and aggressive tactics against journalists undermine transparency. Understanding these patterns is vital for advocates working to protect information access and ensure accountability in democratic processes.

Source: rsf.org
Published on 2024-02-08