''Le Quotidien'' is a major independent daily
newspaper
A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background.
Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business, sports a ...
in
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤠(Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤠ðž ...
, based in the capital of
Dakar
Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in 2 ...
. It also publishes a glossy weekly, entitled ''Week end''.
[Senegal Country Commercial Guide 2008]
. U.S. Commercial Service
The United States Commercial Service (CS) is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. CS is a part of the U.S. Foreign Service and its commercial officers are diplomats. The CS global netwo ...
(2008).
Launch
Launched by owner/editor Madiambal Diagne—a former reporter for Dakar's
Wal Fadjri—and his
Avenir Communications SA
Avenir may refer to:
Entertainment
* "Avenir" (song), a 2014 song by Louane Emera
* '' Avenir: Mirai'', Kaori Iida's third studio album
* Avenir, a fictional company in the game ''Hyperdimension Neptunia''
* Avenir, former name of StoryMill, a n ...
company in February 2003, Le Quotidien is generally critical of the government, as well as political and religious figures.
Controversy
In July 2004 Diange was arrested pending charge by the government for publishing articles alleging fraud in the customs service and government interference in the judiciary. The arrest came from an alleged breach of Article 80 of the Penal Code, which mandates up to 5 years in jail for anyone convicted of "acts that might compromise public security or cause serious political problems." He was released following international pressure and a press strike.
Senegal's Day Without Press
BBC, 12 July 2004.
Expansion
In 2006, Le Quotidien purchased its own press facilities, freeing it from use of government owned printing facilities.
In 2007 the company's attempt to launch a sister radio station in Dakar was halted by the government, but Premiere FM
A première, also spelled premiere, is the debut (first public presentation) of a play, film, dance, or musical composition.
A work will often have many premières: a world première (the first time it is shown anywhere in the world), its firs ...
opened after appeal at the end of that year.
References
Senegal radio station to launch after police raid
Media Development Loan Fund, July 2007.
African Development Information Services: Le Quotidien
Newspapers published in Senegal
Mass media in Dakar
{{Senegal-stub