Media Helping Media

Demonstrations over Gambian journalists trial

Published on Thursday, 02 July 2009

Written by David Brewer

  

As the trial of seven journalists takes place in Gambia, media freedom organisations and trade unions are expected to stage protests in Africa and the UK.

 

Campaigners say the government in [[Gambia]] brought the trial of the journalists, who are facing sedition and criminal defamation charges, forward by four days to try to avoid publicity. The trial was to be held on Tuesday 7 July.

 

The journalists were arrested last month for allegedly criticising the country’s president over the handling of investigations into the murder in 2004 of editor Deyda Hydara . An eighth was arrested while covering the first court hearing.

According to the Gambia Press Union (GPU), two further charges have since been added, including conspiracy to Commit Criminal Defamation and Criminal Defamation.  The case has also been transferred to the High Court.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Amnesty UK and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) are staging a protest outside the Gambian High Commission in London’s Kensington Court at 12:45 today, Friday 3 July.

Amnesty has published a campaign page where supporters of the Gambian journalists can send a letter or fax to the Gambian government.

 

In [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]], the GPU is to hold a joint news conference with local media freedom organisations, SYNPICS, the Senegalese Broadcasters Assocation, the Senegalese Committee to Protect and Defend Journalists, and The African Editors Forum (TAEF).

On 22 July, Amnesty International UK is taking part in an international Amnesty day of action against what it calls ‘the rule of fear in Gambia’.

 

Amnesty UK will also be calling for an investigation into the disappearance of journalist Ebrima Manne three years ago.

 

---

  

• < Prev
• Next >