Naissance et déclin de la presse arabophone au Sénégal de 1960 à nos jours

Abstract

As a language of civilization and a means of international communication, Arabic has since independence, led the Senegalese state to create a press in Arabic intended to disseminate African and Arab-Islamic cultures, to popularize the government’s policy among religious leaders and, above all, to consolidate diplomatic and cultural relations with Arabic-speaking and Muslim countries. This press is an essential instrument in the revitalization of political and diplomatic relations between Senegal and Arabic speaking countries. It contributes to strengthening the social and cultural integration of Arabic-speaking communities living in Senegal. This press also participates in the translation and popularization of the works of Senegalese and African French-speaking writers. Finally, it also provides Arabic speakers with a tool to understand local, African and international news. Having experienced various situations, depending on the period and the political regime, this press seems to be losing momentum today, due to a lack of resources and real political will. This article proposes an analysis of the conditions under which this press was born, how it has evolved and the problems it has encountered.

Keywords

• communication
• public Arabic press
• private press
• Arabic and Islamic culture
• Senegal