In the context of the event “Renvoyé Spécial,” Senegalese journalist Pape Cheikh Fall, exiled in France, spoke at the Parc Imperial high school. Before students from the 10th and 12th grades, he explained how he got to where he is today. A journey marked by repression and violence.
“Originally, I was a teacher, not a journalist.” Pape Cheikh Fall became a journalist in the late 1990s after obtaining his diploma in Dakar. “Becoming a journalist seemed obvious because I was witnessing many things that outraged me. Life conditions, education, or health, I wanted to raise awareness about these issues!” he admits. The “young” journalist got hired by a small local radio station in the Diourbel region in the early 2000s. “This region is known to be very ‘maraboutic,’ so I wanted to highlight that,” he explains. And that’s what led him to exile. After exposing corruption, poor governance, and the involvement of marabouts (religious leaders in Africa) in political life, he was beaten bloody by followers. In 2009, he chose exile and France, where he was received by MDJ (Maison Des Journalistes).
“Exile: another form of repression”
In May 2009, Cheikh Fall arrived in France, where he was welcomed by MDJ and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), who helped him acclimate to his new country. “I could have gone to the United States or Canada, but I chose France because I am Francophone and Francophile. France is a beautiful country,” he explains. He chose France, but for him, “exile is another form of repression. Not being able to work in my country is a form of repression for me!” he admits. Today, the journalist has numerous projects. Next May, he will publish his first book, La démocratie en sursis. He also wants to engage in causes close to his heart, such as the fight against illiteracy and female genital mutilation.
A visit in an educational context
The 10th-grade students of Parc Imperial high school received the journalist as part of the “Renvoyé Spécial” event. It is an operation organized jointly by MDJ and CLEMI (Centre de Liaison de l’Enseignement et des Médias d’Information) aimed at raising young people’s awareness of freedom of expression and the press. The conference this Friday, February 18, is part of this educational project, conveyed by the teachers in their classes. Students will use this experience to present various presentations during Press Week, which will take place from March 21 to 26.
