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Momodou
Denmark
11826 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 21:25:51
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FEATURE
NOTES ON PRESS FREEDOM IN THE GAMBIA
By Noriko Hayashi
From 3-6 June 2007, South Africa opened the 60th Annual World Association of Newspaper (WAN) Congress and the 14th World Editors Forum (WEF). This is the first time Africa is hosting this auspicious event.
South Africa is a country with great influence not only in the African continent, but also all over the world in terms of her worldwide awareness of racial discrimination through the abolition of apartheid.
Furthermore, because South Africa succeeded in fighting apartheid, the country has become one of the champions in protecting freedom of expression and the independence of the press.
According to an independent African News Agency, Afrol News, during the event, more than 1,600 journalists from 109 countries held several meetings concerning freedom of the press.
The President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, warned journalists to avoid “negative type-casting of Africa”, while speaking at the opening of the event at the Capetown International Convention Centre.
He is reported to have been applauded when he challenged President Jammeh for restricting the media in the country.
Furthermore, Trevor Ncube, the President of the National Association of Newspapers in South Africa, quoted President Jammeh as out to violate the rights of journalists by saying, “the whole world can go to hell”.
Mr Ncube criticized President Jammeh for what he regarded as creating a hostile environment for the independent media in The Gambia, which has resulted to the closure of media houses and the self-exiling of journalists.
Now, as a member of a democratic state in a global society, the Gambia government has a responsibility to accept constructive or objective criticism. Given the development of information technology in international community, even small news in the smallest country in Africa could easily be spread all over the world.
Gambian authorities should be aware of the fact that the international community is witnessing the harsh treatment journalists are receiving, arson attacks, and detention without trial. The killing of Deyda Hydara is still unexplained, while the arrest, detention and disappearance of some journalists continue unabated. Such atrocious acts taking place in one of the smallest countries in Africa constitute serious concern to the international community.
The following are some questions that keep resonating in the hearts and minds of people in The Gambia and beyond.
Why are some media houses attacked by arsonists?
Why is the government closing down media houses such The Independent, Sud FM Banjul and Citizen FM?
Not only the Gambian society but also the international community is waiting for the re-opening of the aforementioned media outlets.
Why have many journalists been arrested without any formal charge?
Another case in point is that of Musa Saidykhan, former editor of the Independent newspaper who was arrested and is now in self exile.
What about Ebrima Manneh, the State House reporter of the Daily Observer, who has gone missing for almost a year now after his reported arrest on 7 July 2006?
Why has the government concluded the investigation of the brutal shooting to death of Deyda Hydara, the former managing editor of The Point newspaper and treasurer of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA).
Why are journalists such as Lamin Fatty subjected to harassment? (Who was facing trial for almost one year?)
The Human Rights Community is monitoring all these happenings in The Gambia. Despite the fact that the Gambian Constitution, in its Chapter 25, guarantees the protection of fundamental rights and freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press, the naked violation of that clause or chapter of the constitution continue to take place under the eyes of the whole world, as what obtains in The Gambia is constantly mirrored from the outside world. It should not just be like a white paper inked with black pen written “democracy”. The constitution of the land must be fully respected.
Moreover, hosting the headquarters of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, The Gambia should have a great role to play in contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights issues within the whole continent.
However, because it fails to play this role, it’s not surprising that the international community is closely observing The Gambia with respect to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Real press freedom could educate citizens and enable them to make knowledgeable and fair-minded decisions. Therefore, The Gambia should provide a friendly environment for journalists so they can freely express their views and contribute in sensitizing public opinion for the development of the country.
A democratic minded leader of The Gambia should also accept divergent views including criticisms. Otherwise, The Gambia will exist in a culture of silence and fear, which will ultimately dampen the moral and creative knowledge of the people.
In the early sixteenth century, precisely in 1516, a famous Dutch humanist, Desidevivs Erasmus, said: “In a free state, tongues too should be free.” Now, we live in the twenty-first century and also have the natural right to make the best of our pens as of our tongues.
For most of human existence, humankind has always been curious about the world around them. Those feelings were fulfilled by narratives, and some times fables, of historians and travellers.
Today, journalists are given this great profession to answer to public curiosity and anxiety. No country could develop without a vibrant and free press. It is only in some countries that journalists are disrespected, molested and maligned whilst performing their lawful duties.
The hosting of the AU summit in July 2006 should also have been an opportunity to be seized by The Gambia by demonstrating its commitment to translating human rights issues into reality, which is a priority of the AU.
I believe in my opinion, we as world citizens should open our eyes to global freedom and should realize that we are not under any influence, fear, or pressure. We all have rights to enjoy fairness, justice, truthfulness and freewill. I pray for permanent peace, happiness, justice and prosperity in the small but blessed Gambia, so that every Gambian can live in the real meaning of the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’. On behalf of those who are attracted by Gambian hospitality, I would like to take this opportunity to admire all the brave and honourable journalists in The Gambia and in exile for contributing to real democracy by actually promoting press freedom.
Note By Editor
The author a non Gambian, has made two visits to The Gambia before making these observations. We hope the authorities will carefully consider her observations rather than dismissing them outright as hostile propaganda.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.71/2007, June 20 – 21 June 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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