Africa

Written by David Brewer

The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) is demanding urgent action be taken to protect journalists in Nigeria following a bomb attack on a TV station in Lagos. A parcel being delivered to a senior manager at Superscreen Television exploded as it was being delivered on Tuesday 22 December.

Read more: Nigerian journalists demand protection

Written by MHM Admin

Radio Jubba

The Somali Islamist group of Al-shabab has shut down two independent radio stations in the city of Baidoa 250 km north west of the capital Mogadishu. In a communiqué the Shabab administration in Baidoa ordered the closure of the only two independent radio stations in the city, Jubba Radio and Radio Warsan, although it was not said why the stations were silenced.

Read more: Somali radio stations silenced

Written by David Brewer

A refugee journalist from Somalia says many of his colleagues are fleeing the country as the intimidation and killing of media workers continues. But he says they are facing obstacles as they try to work as journalists in exile. Ahmedsadik Yusuf Mohamed, who is now living in Uganda, is calling on international media support organisations to help those journalists who are still in Somalia and those who are forced to leave.

Read more: Somali journalists seek international help

Written by Ndey Tapha Sosseh

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) welcomes the news of the release of all six Gambian journalists who were convicted and imprisoned on six counts of defamation and sedition on Thursday August 6.

The six, Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Emil Touray and Pa Modou Faal, (GPU) vice president, secretary general and treasurer respectively, Pap Saine and Ebou Sawaneh, publisher and editor of the Point newspaper, and Sam Sarr, editor of the Foroyaa newspaper were released yesterday, September 3, following a presidential pardon. All are said to be in good health and spirits.

Humanitarian gesture

Speaking on behalf of President Jammeh at the Mile Two, State Central Prison, Ousman Sonko, the minister for the Interior praised President Jammeh for the “humanitarian” gesture in the “spirit of Ramadan.”

The minister went on to give a long talk about responsible journalism.

In response, Sam Sarr said he would not make reference to the merits of the case but said Foroyaa has always been professional.

We, the GPU, salute their courage, perseverance and determination of personal sacrifice as a contribution to our fight for media and its related freedoms in The Gambia.

Emil Touray, Secretary General of the GPU had in the past made several efforts, as partners in development, to engage the Gambian Government and security institutions with a view to ensuring media law reforms and improved media/security relations.

He said authorities should see the GPU as an institution that seeks to improve the status and welfare of journalists rather than an opposition outfit.

All related fines have also been dropped.

Though appreciative of the release of our colleagues, the Union will maintain its campaign for press and media freedoms, freedom of expression and the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of Gambian journalists to work without intimidation and harassment.

Local, regional and international support

We thank the hundreds of Gambian individuals, Gambian institutions at home and abroad, international journalist, media, human rights and other institutions, in particular, the International Federation of Journalists , the Federation of African Journalists, the West African Journalists Association, national journalist associations and unions, the Media Foundation for West Africa, IFEX, Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Sans Frontiers, GAMES, Media Helping Media, Amnesty International, Open Society Justice Initiative, OSIWA, the Media Legal Defence Initiative and the International Trade Union Confederation for their overwhelming moral, technical and financial support.

The support and intervention of the international community, notably foreign missions in The Gambia and Senegal, the governments of United Kingdom and the United States, the EU Presidency and the office of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights Special Rappatoeur on Freedom of Expression is greatly appreciated.

Note: This statement was released by the GPU.