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Gambia: Pap Saine-We Won't Give Up the Fight
Mr. Pap Saine, Managing Director of The Point newspaper, has asserted that African journalists will never give up their mission to rid the continent of bad governance with its concomitant political, social and economic setbacks. He however noted that to achieve this goal, African journalists need the support and assistance of friends of Africa.
In a speech delivered yesterday during the award of the German Johann Philip Palm prize presented by the Johann Philip Foundation in Schorndorf, Germany, Mr. Saine observed that there is urgent need for the international community to mount pressure on African governments to respect journalists as partners in development and to ensure the enthronement of democracy on the continent. "In this regard, they should be made to see the value of dialogue and consultation and debate as the cornerstones of mutually beneficial government-media relations. "As African journalists are resolute in carrying out their job amidst meager resources, they should be materially assisted."
The assistance, he went on, can take the form of training programs or the provision of the necessary equipment that will make their work much easier and enjoyable. The Point's boss used the occasion to catalogue the numerous problems the press in Africa is faced with, citing harassment, threats, intimidation and murder as key features. He also deplored that those who dare to endure such difficult circumstances still have to contend with draconian laws and exorbitant newspaper registration fees, which are enacted and imposed on the independent press in Africa, with the aim of getting them to toe the line. All these, he noted, have to do with the poor perception of the role of journalists who, he added, facilitate democracy and development by acting as an interface between government and the people.
The veteran media practitioner, who was recently named Reuters' Dean of Correspondents for West and Central Africa, told the gathering that he has endured lots of trials and tribulations as a journalist but has nonetheless ever thought of throwing in the towel. "I have been detained and tried for refusing to disclose my sources. And I have also lost a colleague and brother, Deyda Hydara, who was gunned down at the wheel of his car in the night of 16 December 2004, as he was driving home after work. Deyda Hydara was my alter ego for thirty-five years. He, more than any person I have ever known, devoted all his time, energy, and his life to the finest ideals of journalism. He was an uncompromising defender of press freedom and freedom of expression generally. His death illustrates the dangers inherent in practicing journalism in Africa.
In ten days time it will be the second anniversary of the dastardly killing of the Deyda and police and the NIA are no where near tracking down the murderers. Pressures, however, seem to be mounting on the Gambian authorities and President Jammeh seems to be weary of the international clamor over the killing as calls for independent investigators increase.
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