Le Quotidien is a major independent daily newspaper

Newspaper

A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...

 in Senegal

Senegal

Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...

, based in the capital of Dakar

Dakar

Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...

. It also publishes a glossy weekly, entitled Week end.

Launch

Launched by owner/editor Madiambal Diagne—a former reporter for Dakar's Wal Fadjri -- and his Avenir Communications SA company in February 2003, Le Quotidien is generally critical of the government, as well as political and religious figures.

Controversy

In July 2004 Diange was arrested pending charge by the government for publishing articles alleging fraud in the customs service and government interference in the judiciary. The arrest came from an alleged breach of Article 80 of the Penal Code, which mandates up to 5 years in jail for anyone convicted of "acts that might compromise public security or cause serious political problems." He was released following international pressure and a press strike.

Expansion

In 2006, Le Quotidien purchased its own press facilities, freeing it from use of government owned printing facilities.

In 2007 the company's attempt to launch a sister radio station in Dakar was halted by the government, but Premiere FM opened after appeal at the end of that year.