Dakar – From 14 March to 20 June 2022, the International Organization for Migration in Senegal organized the reporting migration competition. During this period, forty-three (43) Senegalese journalists, as well as journalists residing in Senegal, submitted entries (print, radio or television) on the following themes: migrant reintegration, well-being and protection. During the award ceremony, held on Thursday 23 June in Dakar, nine (9) Senegalese journalists were awarded prizes. The Senegalese Ministry of Culture and Communication, which welcomed this initiative and was represented at the award ceremony by Assane Dia, stated that “the Ministry of Culture and Communication encourages working with journalists as privileged partners in addressing irregular migration issues”.

The ceremony featured 16 entries from the print media, 14 from radio, 5 from television and 8 from the online media. "Through this competition, journalists’ actions are placed at the centre of the debate on migration as well as their power to inform society," said Mrs Ngone Ndoye, former Minister of Senegalese Living Abroad and President of the jury.

The award ceremony announced nine winners who were awarded prizes. The winners were:

- 3 radio journalists: Yves Tendeng of Sud FM, Silvie Khady Faye of Rewmi FM and Alpha Aboubacar Ascofare of WADR;

- 3 television journalists: Maimouna Lô of CESTI TV, Pape Ibrahima Ndiaye of ITV and Almamy Sané of CESTI TV;

- 3 print and online journalists: Daouda Bâ from Dakaractu, Salif Sakhanokho from Pressafrik, Fatoumata Bintou Ba from CESTI info.

After congratulating the winners, IOM Chief of Mission Valeria Falaschi said at the award ceremony: “Migration is a central theme in the Senegalese press. Senegalese journalists have shown through their participation in the reporting migration competition that the Senegalese press contributes to preserving the dignity of returnees.”

Amaury Hoste, Head of Governance and Migration Section at the European Union Delegation, acknowledged the important contribution of Senegalese journalists to promote safe and orderly migration: “Information and awareness-raising about migration issues need to be strengthened. For this, there is no better voice than the media, of all types, to help better understand this complex subject and promote a clear understanding of all aspects of migration among the public, and messages that counter infoxes and other fake news so easily propagated.”

The organization of the reporting migration competition is part of the activities of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration. The award is also being launched in Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria. The aim is to contribute to a better understanding of all aspects of migration and allow for a more balanced coverage of migrants’ stories.

For more information, please contact Adama Dia, IOM Senegal Communication at adia@iom.int and Salla Mbaye Senior Project Assistant at smbaye@iom.int.