The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP) of Senegal opened a forum on regulated sectors with media professionals this Friday in Saly. This two-day meeting, organized in collaboration with the Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal and the Union of Community Radios of Senegal, was attended by approximately fifty journalists.

The objective is to strengthen the capacity of journalists for a better understanding of regulatory issues and to enable better dissemination of information to the general public.

In his opening address, the Director General of ARTP, Dahirou Thiam, praised the long-standing and well-established collaboration. Mr. Thiam also advocated for more inclusive regulation, based on listening and consultation with all stakeholders. "Regulation that listens to, consults with, and incorporates the concerns of all stakeholders," he stated.

Dahirou Thiam also reviewed the institution's recent actions, namely the deployment of digital regulatory tools, the national service quality measurement campaign, the completion of the national ICT survey (ENTICS), and the termination of more than 1.5 million non-compliant numbers in 2025.

Mr. Thiam also mentioned the preparations related to frequency management for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, as well as the development of the 2026-2029 strategic plan, in line with the country's long-term development vision.

To conclude his speech, he urged journalists to become true "ambassadors of regulation," capable of translating the actions of ARTP into language accessible to all.

Speaking at the event, the president of the CJRS, Mamadou Diagne, first commended the institution's commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives. According to him, this collaboration reflects a clear desire to bring regulation closer to those working on the ground, particularly journalists.

In a context marked by digital transformation, he emphasized the central role of information in the telecommunications sector. "Informing, explaining and deciphering technological changes is essential to enabling citizens to understand their environment," he stated.

Speaking to media professionals, the president of the CJRS also emphasized the responsibility in combating the information divide. "You must make information useful, understandable, and accessible, including for audiences furthest removed from digital technology," he declared.

Furthermore, Mr. Diagne mentioned the ambitions of the CJRS, including the upcoming establishment of an incubator dedicated to young reporters.

This first day of sharing and exchange was marked by the signing of an agreement between ARTP and CJRS, a strengthened partnership, intended to support journalists in understanding and dealing with issues related to telecommunications and digital technology.

Bernadette Seynabou Faye