Gambia News: Is Anyone Listening to the Cries of Local Journalists?

Feb 02,2008 00:00 by Anna

The Media Foundation for West Africa has published a book entitled Violations of Press Freedom by the Government of President Yahya Jammeh from 1994-2006.

The numerous photos include the photo of the late Deyda Hydara, managing editor and co-proprietor of The Point, murdered by shooting on December 16, 2004 but the authors of the book are not convinced that the government has taken the investigation seriously. The book publishes photographs of scars on the bodies of alleged torture victims they claim to have suffered in the hands of the government security agents. The photo of Musa Saidykhan, editor of The Independent newspaper, who alleges torture and is now living in exile. The book also highlights photos of the arson attack on the Independent Printing Press and a photograph of The Independent.

Several photos of the president himself are shown in the book, for example, where he was threatening to deal with journalists who misquote him.

The book captures Jammeh's threatening words such as, "Journalists are the illegitimate sons of Africa, citizens should not buy newspapers so that journalists can starve to death." "The media is just a dead and rotten horse, I am not against them." "If I have to hang somebody, I will hang him and go to sleep using the laws." "I know there are opposition journalists among you, but whoever misquotes me, I will deal with you." The book lists down a good number of journalists who have been arrested and detained before being released. The list includes names like Kenneth Y. Best, former editor and proprietor of the Observer newspaper, who was subsequently deported, Ebrima Sankareh, Point Journalist, Jay Saidy, associate editor of the Point, Deyda Hydara of The Point, Alieu Badara Sowe, Ebrima Ernest, Pap Saine, Baboucar Sankanu, Chikeluba Kenechuku, a Nigerian, Ansumana Badgie, Alagi Yorro Jallow of The Independent, Muhammed Ellicot Seade, editor of Daily Observer, and so on.