(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of the Interior Lamin Bajo, RSF protested the attack on the offices of private radio station Radio One. RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard denounced “this serious attack on press freedom,” recalling that this was the first incident of its kind in The Gambia. The organisation asked the minister to […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of the Interior Lamin Bajo, RSF protested the attack on the offices of private radio station Radio One. RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard denounced “this serious attack on press freedom,” recalling that this was the first incident of its kind in The Gambia. The organisation asked the minister to do everything possible to ensure that those behind the attack are arrested and tried.
According to information collected by RSF, on 10 August 2000, at 3:00 a.m. (local time), seven persons tried to set the Radio One radio station on fire, spraying gasoline in one part of the station’s offices. The front door was burned down, as well as part of the reception area. The studios were not damaged in the fire. The radio station’s owner, George Christensen, was injured while trying to stop the assailants. He was admitted to hospital with many burns to his arms and face. The radio station’s guard and a disc jockey were also injured in the fire. According to them, the radio station was saved thanks to the intervention of a group of youths who were in a café facing the station at the time. For the moment, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, nor was anyone able to identify the attackers. The radio station was forced to suspend its programmes for an indeterminate period.
Radio One is an opposition radio station which was very critical of the government during student demonstrations which took place last April. Among its programmes, “Sunday News Hour” is known for its outspoken views.
