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The Gambia

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Campaigns and Advocacy

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Campaign for press freedom goes global as government revokes journalists' bail

Human rights organisations and trade unions in Europe and Africa have joined the growing protest against the prosecution of seven journalists accused of sedition and defamation.

Six journalists released on bail, another arrested

RSF expressed relief after learning of the release on bail, on 22 June, of six journalists accused of "seditious publication" and imprisoned in Banjul.

Forty-five IFEX members call for release of journalist Chief Ebrimah Manneh

Free expression advocates from around the world gathered this week in Oslo, Norway, at the IFEX General Meeting. Forty-five IFEX members signed on to the following statement, calling on The Gambian government to enforce an ECOWAS court judgement of the journalist's case.

Twenty-one IFEX members call for investigation into murder of journalist Deyda Hydara, release of reporter Chief Ebrima Manneh

(MFWA/IFEX) - The following is a joint action by 21 IFEX members:

From the Communiqué

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President pardons six journalists

Six Gambian journalists imprisoned on charges ranging from defamation to "seditious publication" were released on 3 September on a presidential pardon, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and other IFEX members.

Six journalists sentenced to two years for sedition

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and other IFEX members have condemned the "politicised" verdict against six Gambian journalists who were sentenced last week to two years in jail and heavy fines for sedition and criminal defamation.

Global protests mark president's 15-year rule

Several protests against Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's extreme freedom of the press abuses were held in Europe and Africa last week, marking the 15-year anniversary of the president's coup d'état and the third day of a sedition and defamation trial against a group of the country's most respected journalists.

Journalists charged with sedition freed on bail

Seven Gambian journalists charged with sedition last week for criticising the President have been freed on bail, while two other detainees were released without charge, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Meanwhile, a journalist covering the sedition trial has been detained without charge.

Authorities arrest seven journalists for criticising President

Seven journalists and press union leaders were arrested this past week for criticising the Gambian President for his comments on the unsolved 2004 murder of a prominent editor, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

AUTHORITIES SHOULD ABIDE BY RULING AND FREE JOURNALIST, SAY IFEX MEMBERS

In a landmark decision, an African regional court has ordered the Gambian authorities to immediately release a journalist who has been held incommunicado for nearly two years, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).