Passion contre précarité: Les jeunes reporters fuient la presse sénégalaise en ruine
They are the first on the ground, the last to leave the newsroom. Reporters, the backbone of news production, crisscross the streets, braving harsh weather, risks, and pressures to bring the news to life. Yet, behind microphones, cameras, and, in this digital age, behind keyboards, these news heroes live in abject poverty, often marked by shattered dreams, a lack of recognition, and appalling working conditions. Seneweb delves into this little-known reality through poignant testimonies from young journalists, broken by a system that seems to ignore their essential role.
In the context of an economic crisis affecting the media, reporters are the first to suffer the consequences: derisory salaries, often less than 100,000 FCFA, lack of social or medical coverage, non-existent contracts and endless unpaid internships.
What's more, while media owners demand state subsidies, these journalists never see a penny of them. They sink into a painful silence, often forced to abandon their calling.
For many young journalism graduates, entering the profession is a real ordeal. After three years of expensive training, Moussa Cissokho never had the opportunity to practice the profession. A graduate of a prestigious school, he confides his disillusionment: “I invested nearly three million in my training. Three years of study, a diploma in hand, but no internship. I tried everything, without success. Today, I work in a cement factory.”
This disillusionment is starting to turn into unease for the young man, given how the media landscape is dominated in Senegal. He also laments the lack of recognition for graduates, while untrained individuals flood television and radio studios, trivializing the profession and contributing to the sector's excesses. "It's sickening to invest so much in a degree that's useless. I've dreamed of this career since childhood, but they refuse to open the door to those who are trained. It's a shame," he says sadly.
Alongside those who search in vain, there are those who find and prove themselves. Aïssatou Tandeng, a young, aspiring journalist, almost gave up after grueling internships, but she always carried her resilience and love for the profession with her. "I've had a lot of bad experiences. It's not a job that pays well. What keeps me going is passion. But I warn those who want to enter the profession: if you're looking for money, change course. Journalism demands patience, perseverance, and courage. It's a profession of endurance," she explains.
10 months without a contract or salary: The cry of a forgotten intern
"Every job deserves a salary," an expression that's hard to apply in the world of Senegalese journalism. Abdoulaye Sylla (not his real name), a third-year journalism student, has been doing an internship for 10 months at a well-known media outlet, without a contract or pay. "I work like a professional, I cover the news, I respect the schedule. Yet, no bonus, no transportation, no meals. I pay for everything out of my own pocket. Sometimes, I have to borrow money to get to the office. They just tell me to wait, and it's been 10 months," he says.
At the end of some events, organizers give journalists money to cover travel expenses. This practice is controversial in the industry because, according to many professionals, it can compromise a journalist's independence and make them vulnerable to influence. These ethical considerations don't seem to concern Abdoulaye Sylla, as this occasional income is a relief for him. "It's not right. We talk about mentoring young people, but we exploit them. That's why many young reporters are forced to rely on per diems to survive. There needs to be a real awakening," he insists.
Dreams sacrificed on the altar of survival
In journalism, finding a job is one thing, and getting paid is another, even though the two should go hand in hand. This inconsistent dichotomy pushes many young people away from the core of their training. This is the case for Moustapha Sané, a young father, who had to give up his dream: “I was offered repeated internships, without pay. I finally quit. Today, I run a general store. It hurts, because journalism was my dream, but you have to survive.”
When dreams are big, the disillusionment can only be enormous. Passionate about journalism, Maimouna Ndiaye discovered the dark side of the industry: precarious conditions, a lack of logistical resources, and disguised exploitation. Assigned to a newsroom without a vehicle, she was responsible for her own transportation and didn't hesitate to sacrifice herself to fulfill her duty to inform. "We were given 1,000 FCFA for transportation, even for just two or three trips a day. We had to make up the difference out of our own pockets. Per diems? We were asked to contribute a portion to the company's cash register. And food? If you don't buy anything, you don't eat," she recounts.
In Senegal, the legal working week is generally 40 hours, spread over 5 working days. However, this rule does not necessarily apply in the media sector.
Maïmouna Ndiaye's days stretched from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., without any respite, in a state of constant physical and mental exhaustion. "I was exhausted, but I kept going thanks to my passion. I told myself that it would change one day," she said.
No matter how great a passion is, as long as it does not sustain its owner, it remains futile.
After years without a salary or contract, the journalist finally gave up. "I endured it, I took it in stride. But at one point, I told myself: it's not worth it. You're exploited, you're given promises that aren't kept. I gave it all up. Today, I run my own clothing and perfume shop," she says.
When she announced her departure, she was offered 75,000 FCFA. A paltry sum that she refused. "What happens in some newsrooms is pure and simple exploitation. It's inhumane to spend three years in a newsroom only to be offered 75,000 FCFA when you leave," she remarks.
Maimouna denounces an unfair and ungrateful system: "It is the journalists and technicians who keep the newsrooms running, but we are not considered. Some press bosses are selfish. As long as the company runs, they don't care about anything else. I feel a lot of pity for reporters and you have to know that without them, there is no press."
Towards communication: A forced career change
Failing to find fulfillment in journalism, some journalists, like Ndèye Fatou Fall (name changed), prefer to leave the profession for digital communication. She has set up her own communications agency and notes that several colleagues are following suit. “The journalists labeled as scum of the press are courageous journalists. They can no longer endure this precarious situation, so they launch their own businesses. They earn more than those who remain in newsrooms. It’s no longer a quest for personal growth, but a race for survival,” she explains. She also denounces the lack of solidarity among journalists, exacerbated by the judgments of their own colleagues. “People say that the new authorities have divided the press, but that’s false. This division existed long before. We’re called scum, we’re told we’re not journalists, and it’s fellow journalists who say that to us. There’s a lack of solidarity in the press, and as long as there is no solidarity, the sector will remain weak.”
Hope in the new regime
Senegalese media outlets are businesses that primarily benefit media owners, but hope remains for a reversal of this trend. Ndèye Fatou welcomes President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's openness towards young reporters, extending beyond media owners to a more inclusive approach. "This is a strong sign that the authorities understand the problem. We hope this administration will put an end to the injustice in newsrooms. Some media owners, driven by selfishness, will not get us out of this situation," she asserts.
Journalism schools are worried
Schools like CESTI and ISEG are sounding the alarm. These institutions have observed that a growing number of students are abandoning journalism, discouraged by the precarious working conditions of the profession. "We see motivated students changing majors or giving up after their first steps in the field. They don't see a stable future in this profession," says Mr. Diop, an instructor at ISEG, who calls for better psychological preparation of students from the very beginning of their training.
The numbers don't lie. A recent survey by the Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal (CJRS) reveals the extent of the precariousness of the situation. More than 34.4% of reporters work more than 10 hours a day without overtime pay, despite a Labor Code that sets the legal working day at 8 hours. 31.5% work without pay, a blatant violation of the law. Regarding contracts, 26.4% of journalists have no contractual relationship with their employer; only 23.1% have a permanent contract (CDI) and 11.1% a fixed-term contract (CDD). Among those with a contract, 61.7% do not have a copy. 45.3% of contracts are not registered with the Labor Inspectorate, and 77.7% of reporters do not have a payslip. On the social front, 86% of journalists do not have an IPRES (Senegal's retirement insurance institution) number and 86% do not receive any medical coverage from their employer.
The Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal speaks out
Faced with this heartbreaking reality, Mamadou Diagne, president of the Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal, shares his perspective. “As a young reporter, I can confirm this reality. The majority of us live in extreme poverty: delayed salaries, meager incomes, lack of contracts, social and health coverage, and unpaid overtime. This situation is dangerous for ethics, because a vulnerable journalist is exposed to temptations.”
The spokesperson for the young reporters proposes solutions. "Faced with a media ecosystem in crisis, we must stand together. Press owners and the State must restore Senegalese journalism to its former glory with an appropriate economic model and better living and working conditions for young reporters," he emphasizes.
These testimonies and figures show that Senegalese journalists and reporters, often young and passionate, are holding on in the shadows. But how many more will have to sacrifice their dignity, their health, and their dreams before structural change occurs?
Commentaires (17)
Et face à ces situations, les Pouvoirs publics se taisent parce qu'ils y trouvent leurs comptes. Les journalistes professionnels ne sont pas manipulables. Ils préfèrent la "Racaille" qui avec la complicité des Patrons de presse véreux, traitent les informations selon leurs goût faisant fi des exigences éthique et déontologique/
Au finish, des jeunes qui ont investi des sommes importantes pour se former en Journalisme grossissent les rangs des chômeurs et des conducteurs de motos Jakarta. Honte à la République
Il faut adopter le mode de recrutement du Cesti à partir de la licence ou maîtrise de l époque i..e Master 1 ou 2.
Il faut recruter des Master 2 dans toute les disciplines et les former au journalisme.
Le Bac + 3 d il y a 50 ans n est plus le bac + 3 d 'aujourd'hui.
Ça se voit dans la qualité de l expression écrite ou orale.
Des journalistes qui prononcent mal. Je prends un exemple..Demander à certains journalistes de vous prononcer le verbe condamner ou le nom Jean Baptiste ou le substantif statut..
Difficile de recruter ces produits.!!!!
Courage à ceux qui se battent encore pour rester professionnels.
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