SECTOR 4 Nevertheless, a case of obvious self-censorship is reported by a panellist in the conflict, which has been going on for months, between the two candidates for the chairmanship of the Dakar Chamber of Commerce. “From one daily to another, one is aware of information deliberately avoided”, he explained. The panel sees self-censorship as resulting, in many cases, from conflicts of interest involving the promoters of the press companies concerned. Indeed, a tendency can be noted among economic players to invest in a media organisation perceived to defend their interests and their image while claiming to respect ethical principles and rules of conduct. Apart from economic information, self-censorship also affects the treatment of information on religion and religious families. More and more journalists who are “talibés”23 allow their religious persuasion or affiliation to a brotherhood to take precedence over the occupational requirement of exhaustiveness and honesty in the presentation of information. The panel also notes a form of self-censorship in journalists’ fears for their own safety. To combat all forms of self-censorship, members of the panel mention different strategies developed internally and which have proven their effectiveness. For instance, within a press company, the standing rule is not to assign a journalist to cover an event focussing on a group to which he reputedly belongs. Besides, according to this testimony, the leaders of such groups are nonetheless satisfied with the treatment of their news. A sound structuring of the newsroom into specialised “desks” and “sub-desks” also facilitates avoiding this type of behaviour and providing better supervision and guidance. Similarly, the panel advocated the adoption of an editorial independence charter within the newsroom, as well as awareness-raising among all journalists and trainees who join the press company. 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: 2.7 (2010:1.9; 2008:2.4; 2006:2.6) 23 A follower or member of one of Senegal’s religious brotherhoods. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SENEGAL 2013 119