23 March 2012 Last updated at 06:47 ET

Senegal profile

News stand in Senegal The media in Senegal frequently criticise the government

Senegal has traditionally enjoyed one of the most unrestricted press climates in the region.

But media freedom is threatened by "physical attacks on news media, jamming of radio broadcasts, abusive prosecutions and the jailing of journalists", Reporters Without Borders said ahead of polls in 2012.

Self-censorship arises from laws which ban reports that discredit the state, incite disorder or spread "false news". Nevertheless, private media often criticise the government.

Radio is an influential medium. Commercial and community stations have mushroomed.

There are nearly 20 daily newspapers. Foreign publications circulate freely and multichannel pay TV is readily available. BBC World Service (105.6 MHz) and Radio France Internationale are available on FM in Dakar.

By December 2011 there were just under two million internet users (Internetworldstats.com). Access is unrestricted.

The press

Television

  • Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) - state-run, operates RTS1 and RTS2
  • TFM - private
  • RDV - private
  • 2S TV - private

Radio

  • Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) - state-run, operates Chaine Nationale and Senegal Internationale, Dakar FM, regional services
  • Sud FM - private, in Dakar and other cities
  • Nostalgie - private, Dakar
  • Walf FM - operated by Groupe Wal Fadjri
  • Dunyaa FM - private
  • RFM - private

News agencies

More Africa stories

RSS

Features & Analysis

Elsewhere on the BBC

  • Audio cassette Be kind, rewind

    The cassette is making a comeback, but can business capitalise on a trend without falling victim to a fad?

Programmes

  • Scene from the film TitanicHARDtalk Watch

    The film director 'appalled' at how the movies Titanic and Ironman have been re-cut for China

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.