Senegal journalist Babacar Fall receives death threats following religious interview

Journalist Babacar Fall, editor of RFM, has reported receiving over 1,000 messages containing insults and death threats following a broadcast of ‘RFM Matin’ on August 27. The controversy stems from an interview with Abdou Sy, brother of the leader of the religious organization Dahiratoul Moustarchidina Wal Moustarchidaty (DMWM), regarding recent religious statements.

The DMWM has contested the content of the interview and accused the journalist of refusing them a right of reply, a claim Fall categorically denies. In response to the escalating hostility, the Syndicate of Information and Communication Professionals of Senegal (SYNPICS) has demanded that the Senegalese state and the Ministry of the Interior provide immediate police protection for the journalist.

SYNPICS described the intimidation as a threat to press freedom and a blow to democracy. Fall has initiated legal action to identify the authors of the threats and establish responsibility for the campaign of hostility.