SECTOR 3

3.3 The body, which regulates broadcasting services
and licences, does so in the public interest and ensures
fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing
society at large.
Judging by the content of the notices and reports that it publishes regularly
(annual reports, quarterly notices) or the acts that it issues occasionally (formal
notices/warnings, sanctions), the CNRA is perceived by the panel as a body
mindful of the public interest and the equitable treatment of cases.
Regarding the issuing of licences, this is the preserve of the Ministry of
Communications, as far as the administrative procedures are concerned, and
of the Agency for Telecommunications and Postal Regulation for the technical
aspects (frequency, transmitter power, etc.).
In any case, the panel feels that the framework for certain procedures is laid down
in the specifications, but that the allocation of radio and television frequencies is
done in a very ad hoc manner and according to the identity of the applicant. For
example, in the case of Télévision Futurs medias (TFM) in 2010, the government, at
first, publicly rejected the frequency application submitted by Mr Youssou Ndour
before granting it to him without any transparent procedure being followed and,
very obviously, after Mr Ndour had demonstrated greater consideration towards
the government. In Senegal, the allocation of frequencies is not, in fact, subject
to a call for tender.
The panellists also raised the matter of the large number of frequencies already
allocated and which have not been operational for years. Now these frequencies
are public property and may not be sold or be the subject of any kind of
speculation. Which is why one speaker wonders about the conditions pertaining
to the transfer of a radio frequency allocated to the current President of the
Republic well before his election.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

2.9 (2010:1.8; 2008:1.6; 2006:1.9)

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SENEGAL 2013

105

Select target paragraph3