Gambia police charge, release four journalists

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By SHERIFF SAIDYKHAN

Amidst unrelenting national and international pressure, four Gambian journalists who were arrested on Sunday during anti-government demonstration spearheaded by a pressure group dubbed 3 Years Jotna have been charged and released by the police.

3 Years Jotna movement took to the streets to renew their call on president Adama Barrow to honour his 3-year transitional rule promise as per the agreement by coalition 2016 that brought him to power after ending the 22 years of former President Yahya Jammeh’s dictatorial rule.

Among the released journalists are Pa Modou Bojang, proprietor of Home Digital FM in Brikama, West Coast Region and Gibbi Jallow, manager of King FM in Tallinding, Kanifing Municipality including Ebrima Jallow and Madiou Jallow at King FM who were arrested together with their manager, during their normal duties at the radio.

They were all charged with incitement of violence and released on bail.

Home Digital FM and King FM are well known for their critical emissions in local languages that enable illiterates and those who don’t understand English to take part in the administrative life of their country by calling to make their voices heard on various issues, especially in politics.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) the main media body in The Gambia after exhausting all the amenities of consulting and dialoguing with the right authorities in securing the release of the four journalists issued a press release in condemnation of the journalists’ arrest and detention and call for their immediate release.

The Union informed journalists of their plan to be at the office of Inspector General of Police of police without food and drink until their colleagues are released.

However, the plan changed to visible presence at the various police stations where the journalists were detained.

The journalist body’s proposal attracted solidarity from media practitioners from different news outlets that swarmed at Wellingara and Old Yundum police stations respectively until all the journalists were released on bail finally.

GPU for media freedom
Saikou Jammeh, Secretary General of GPU expressed discontent about what he described as the continued vicious attacks on Journalists, calling on the Government to revisit mitigation strategies and resolve the trend.

He said GPU is putting up stringent measures in the drive to tackle draconian laws imposed on the media for the safety and protection of Journalists in the country.

Jammeh added that GPU will further file a legal suit in court action against the state to reopen radio stations that are shut down.

”This is a kind of mix feelings. We have seen our colleagues with their exciting conditions. But we cannot be also delighted about the situation that unfolded. The next step is to make sure the radio stations are reopened. What would follow is to launch a court action against the Government for the many wrongs they have done in this case.”