Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – “RTS was a propaganda media of every regime in place,” declared Pape Alé Niang, the newly appointed head of Senegal’s state public broadcaster, Radio Diffusion Television du Sénégal (RTS). Since taking the helm in May 2024, Niang, a journalist with firsthand experience of political imprisonment, is dismantling six decades of outright pro-government broadcasting and establish a truly pluralistic public service.

Niang, who was incarcerated under the previous administration, is acutely aware of the challenges ahead. In an interview with the International Journalists’ Network (IJNET.ORG), he emphasized his commitment to fostering genuine political pluralism in news coverage, marking a decisive break from the RTS’s long history as a mouthpiece for the ruling powers since Senegal’s independence in 1960.

Early signs of this transformation are already emerging. “Pluriel,” a debate program absent from screens for twelve years, has been revived, offering a platform for diverse voices from the government, opposition, and civil society. Similarly, “Saytou” (Wolof for “decryption“) now provides a weekly open forum on pressing social issues.

This shift in editorial approach is further evidenced by the regular inclusion of opposition figures, previously excluded from the public airwaves. Sources from IJNET.ORG reveal that Niang consistently reminds his editorial teams of the core principles guiding their work: freedom and responsibility, entrusting journalists of all generations with complete confidence.

Amidst the rapid spread of disinformation on social media, Niang aims to “move the lines of information.” He cited the RTS’s comprehensive coverage of the November 17, 2024, legislative elections as a prime example. The broadcaster deployed dedicated teams to cover each of the 41 participating parties, demonstrating a commitment to impartial reporting.

Niang’s ambition extends beyond Senegal’s borders. The RTS is actively expanding its influence within the sub-region. In May 2024, a delegation covered the 15th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) in The Gambia.

Furthermore, material support has been provided to media teams in Guinea-Bissau to enhance their coverage. “Our experience serves ECOWAS through this active solidarity, which is an obligation for RTS,” Niang stated, as reported by IJNET.ORG.

Niang’s resolve is deeply rooted in his own painful experience. He was imprisoned in late 2022 under the administration of former President Macky Sall, an ordeal that left lasting physical scars after several hunger strikes. He fondly recalls a support visit from the late Christophe Deloire of Reporters Without Borders during this difficult period. Even behind bars, Niang’s focus remained on challenging the status quo in the pursuit of justice. “We lived in Senegal, a madness, a barbarism, from 2021 to 2024 in terms of imprisonments and of demonstrators killed. At that time, we did not circulate freely in the streets of Dakar; military tanks were everywhere present. We lived with a psychological gravity…,” he recounted.

With a presence in all 14 regions of Senegal and broadcasting through 17 radio channels, the RTS is adopting “new colors” under Niang’s leadership, according to IJNET.ORG. His vision is to transform the RTS into a continental media powerhouse, with a focus on youth and a central role in information production.

Ultimately, Niang’s objective is to serve the democratic maturity of the Senegalese people by providing quality public information without feeling inferior to Western media, whose coverage of African realities he often perceives as limited and biased.

The ongoing transformation of the RTS under Pape Alé Niang reflects the broader desire for democratic renewal in Senegal, a nation long seen as a beacon of stability in West Africa but which has faced significant political tensions in recent years. While the undertaking is ambitious, IJNET.ORG suggests that the new managing director is determined to succeed.