Senegal’s press is facing a deepening financial crisis, exacerbated by cuts to public subsidies and a collapse in advertising revenue. The Futurs Médias group, founded by renowned musician and former culture minister Youssou N’Dour, is at the center of the crisis. The group, which owns leading media outlets including L’Observateur, RFM, and TFM, is experiencing an “unprecedented” crisis due to plummeting advertising revenue, falling print sales, rising costs, and tax adjustments.
As a result, the group has not paid some employees for three months, prompting management to consider restructuring the company. This move has put dozens of positions under threat, among the group’s 400 permanent employees. Staff representatives have reacted angrily to the plan, with the Syndicate of Information and Communication Professionals of Senegal (SYNPICS) announcing a notice to strike.
The crisis at Futurs Médias is not an isolated case, as other private media groups in Senegal are also facing financial difficulties. The Sud Communication group, which owns the daily Sud Quotidien, has been forced to raise funds via crowdfunding, while the Walfadjri group is experiencing cash flow difficulties. The economic crisis in Senegal, which has resulted in a budget deficit of 14 percent and an outstanding public debt of 119 percent of GDP, has had a devastating impact on the media industry.
The government’s decision to pause the Press Support and Development Fund (FADP) and reduce publicly-funded advertising campaigns has been cited as a major contributor to the crisis. Press associations and trade unions have denounced the lack of support from the government, with the head of the Coordination of Press Associations of Senegal warning that the survival of the press in Senegal is in question.
The crisis poses a significant threat to the plurality of the press sector in Senegal, with the potential loss of jobs and the reduction of territorial coverage. The country’s media is considered a regional beacon for press freedom, and the current crisis has far-reaching implications for the wider region. As Sadibou Marong, director of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) office in Dakar, noted, the crisis highlights the need for media outlets to diversify their revenues and invest in digital platforms.
The government has introduced media reform aimed at bringing more transparency to the landscape and encouraging the diversification of revenues. However, the primary challenge remains the economic survival of media outlets. With the Press Support Fund unpaid in 2024 and 2025, and a lack of advertising revenue, the media industry in Senegal is facing a significant shortfall. The situation underscores the need for urgent action to support the media industry and ensure the continuation of a free and independent press in Senegal.