The Gambia Press Union (GPU) organised a symposium to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 19, 2007 at Alliance Franco-Gambienne on Kairaba Avenue, on the theme "the Media, Society and Impunity."

The chairperson of the symposium, Assistant Secretary General of GPU, Mr. Emil Touray, in his opening remarks, placed vital emphasis on the importance of World Press Freedom Day.

Mr. Touray clarified that World Press Freedom day is celebrated on 3 May as a day universally set aside. He stated that the symposium has been postponed from 3 to 19 May due to circumstances beyond control.

He indicated that press freedom is a necessity if we are to win the battle against impunity.

Mr. Sam Sarr, the Editor-in-Chief of Foroyaa newspaper and adviser to the GPU underscored the point that The Gambia is making headlines, noting that such headlines are those on arson attacks, arrests, detentions, threats and murder, which earn the country no pride.

In this regard, he said, society has a role to play as far as the media is concerned, and it's the same reason why the media needs protection from society, the state and the law. Without such protection, he noted, impunity would become the order of the day. He went further to cite section 25 (1) of the Gambian Constitution which categorically states "Every person shall have the right to -

"(a) freedom of speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media;"

He further made reference to section 207 of the constitution that stipulates "(1) the freedom and independence of the press and other information media are hereby guaranteed.

(3) the press and other information media shall at all times, be free to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives of the constitution, and the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people of The Gambia."

He said these are instruments to protect the media. Summing up his statement, Sarr said that the media is therefore given the role to scrutinise the leadership. He indicated that all arrests and detentions should be in accordance with the law; that about a dozen of journalists were arrested last year and nothing came out of it. He added that freedom of expression is guaranteed by the law; that the constitutional provisions are there to be utilised, otherwise, the ugly head of impunity will continue to grow bigger and bigger.

He insinuated that freedom of expression is not restricted to the media alone, but it is the same freedom that politicians, artists, academicians and all others need. "Any society that tolerates impunity to grow will suffer the consequences," concluded Sam Sarr.

Addressing the gathering Mr. Madi K. Ceesay, President of The Gambia Press Union and Director of Media Agenda, delved into the press freedom situation in The Gambia. He mentioned that this is a day that journalists honour, taking into account the journalism profession world wide. He said it is also this day that some of the oppressions against the media are highlighted.

He asserted that the year that has just ended (2006) is the worst year as far as threats and attacks on the media is concerned. This noble profession, he said, has witnessed the killing of 110 journalists and media workers in 2006 alone. Mr. Ceesay said these incidents highlight the significant dangers journalists and media workers face throughout the world, as well as, the need to improve respect for freedom of the press and safety of journalists.

Press freedom, he said, as indicated in the GPU's press release which is reproduced by Foroyaa and The Point newspaper in their last editions, is a cornerstone of human rights and guarantee of other freedoms. "It encourages transparency and good governance; it ensures that, over and above the mere rule of law, society enjoys the rule of true justice." He said there are those who still question the value of freedom of speech to their societies; those who argue that it threatens stability and endangers progress; those who still consider freedom of speech an imposition from abroad and not the indigenous expression of a. people's demand for freedom.

Madi went further to indicate that it is rather unfortunate that today as we mark another Press Freedom day, we have not got any positive results in the case of Deyda

Hydara's murder. He added that no satisfactory investigations were mounted into his killing, as far as the GPU is concerned; that a colleague, Ebrima Manneh is missing since July (last year). Lamin Fatty and Fatou Jaw Manneh are being drag to court for what is related to their work as journalists.

He added that in May (last year), there was a crackdown on the media which resulted in the arrest and detention of scores of journalists for long periods and no charges brought against them. Such, he said, are some of the concerns of the GPU. He said their position is always that they are not above the laws of the land and are not against arresting any journalists who goes wrong, but their concern is lack of respect for the law which says no one should he detained for more than 72 hours without charge.

Ceesay went further to say that the Independent newspaper, Citizen Fm and Sud Fm all remain closed with the exception of Citizen Fm without any court order. He said the continuous presence of the police at the offices of the Independent is a violation of their right to operate as a legally registered newspaper.

"Colleagues as we are gathered here to mark this day which was set aside by UNESCO, I want to take this opportunity to say that despite the fact that we are operating in a hostile environment, we should be focused and not allow ourselves to be overcomed by detractors of press freedom; as journalists, we should stick to the ethics of the profession and properly investigate our stories before putting pen to paper," the GPU President tipped.

The occasion was attended by media practitioners from different media houses and members of the general public whose hearts beat in unison with that of the media in their strive to achieve freedom of press and expression. The American Ambassador also attended the forum.