SN: Diallo Refuses Summons; L'oeil du Témoin de ce jeudi 15 octobre 2026 Covers Ethics

• Former minister Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo refused a parliamentary inquiry commission summons, citing a lack of institutional courtesy due to its WhatsApp delivery.
• Diallo argued that informal WhatsApp invitations for hearings lead to similarly informal "TikTok hearings," a stance that garnered significant public sharing.
• The Council for the Observation of Ethics and Deontology Rules in the Media (CORED) installed its new 12-member Peer Tribunal for the 2026-2029 mandate.
• CORED's Tribunal members pledged independence, impartiality, and a commitment to investigate ethical breaches and protect media professionals from pressure.
• The Tribunal's declaration emphasized the public's right to balanced, fair, and objective information, condemning discrimination and hate speech while ensuring respect for private life.

The declaration from CORED's new Peer Tribunal also placed significant emphasis on the public's fundamental right to access balanced, fair, and objective information.

Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo, a former minister, recently made headlines by refusing to comply with a summons from a parliamentary inquiry commission, citing significant procedural irregularities. This incident occurred amidst ongoing public discussion, with "Le Témoin" newspaper having previously highlighted concerns about the widespread sharing of video clips from these very commission hearings. Many observers have drawn parallels between the proceedings involving Sonko and theatrical sketches, suggesting that high-ranking officials are being unfairly subjected to public condemnation through digital platforms.

Diallo, who also serves as an Inspector of Taxes, delivered what was characterized as a "master class," reminiscent of an ENAM professor, effectively challenging "commissioner" Guy Marius Sagna and his investigative team. He explicitly stated that a summons transmitted via WhatsApp, with a date and time fixed without any prior consultation, demonstrated a clear absence of expected institutional courtesy. In his view, such informal "WhatsApp invitations" could only result in equally informal "TikTok hearings." Consequently, citing these perceived dysfunctions, he made the decision not to appear before what he critically referred to as the "Pastef Police." His letter detailing this refusal quickly gained immense traction, becoming widely shared across platforms, a phenomenon that suggested considerable public support and even satisfaction among Senegalese citizens.

In a separate but equally significant development, the Council for the Observation of Ethics and Deontology Rules in the Media (CORED) officially inaugurated its new Peer Tribunal. This newly constituted body, comprising 12 members, is tasked with upholding ethical standards within the media sector for the 2026-2029 mandate. Each member has formally pledged to execute their mission with complete independence and impartiality, strictly adhering to the established professional rules of journalism. The installation ceremony, which took place yesterday, was presided over by Bakary Sarr, the Minister of Communication and Relations with Institutions and government spokesperson, and was attended by numerous veteran journalists and key figures from the media industry.

During the ceremony, Awa Thiaw, acting as the spokesperson for the Tribunal members, publicly read their declaration of commitment. This declaration unequivocally affirmed that the members would not permit any political, financial, or other external power to dictate their conduct, opinions, or judgments. They committed to diligently and uprightly investigate all alleged breaches of ethical and deontological rules, whether these issues arise through the Tribunal's own initiative (auto-saisine) or through the examination of formal complaints submitted to them. Furthermore, the members of the Tribunal pledged to ensure that media professionals are not subjected to undue pressure, particularly in sensitive situations, and to actively foster mutual respect among journalists by combating plagiarism, malicious acts, and hostile behaviors within the profession.

The declaration from CORED's new Peer Tribunal also placed significant emphasis on the public's fundamental right to access balanced, fair, and objective information. The members explicitly vowed not to endorse any content that is based on discrimination, incites hatred, or encourages revenge, while simultaneously committing to ensure the respect for private life. This comprehensive set of commitments underscores a proactive approach to enhancing journalistic integrity and accountability across the media landscape.

Both the former minister's challenge and the establishment of the media ethics tribunal, though distinct in their immediate focus, collectively highlight broader societal concerns regarding institutional conduct, procedural fairness, and the integrity of public information. Diallo's public refusal to comply with what he perceived as an improperly issued summons raises critical questions about the respect for established protocols within parliamentary inquiries. His actions, and the public's apparent positive reaction, suggest a demand for greater formality and institutional decorum. Concurrently, CORED's initiative to install a robust and independent Peer Tribunal represents a crucial step towards effective self-regulation and ethical vigilance in the media, aiming to ensure that the information disseminated to the public is credible and responsible, thereby reinforcing the democratic process.

Source: Original reporting via Le Témoin.