President attacks religious leader and threatens media
On 22 May 2009, Baba Leigh, Imam of Kanifing was warned by President Jammeh to stop criticizing the administration or risk going to prison.
Editor of private newspaper arrested
Abdulhamid Adiamoh, managing editor of the daily Today, is being held in a cell at the Major Crimes Unit of police headquarters in the capital Banjul.
Government raises objection in trial of tortured journalist
On 30 June 2009, the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja will give its ruling on a preliminary objection raised by the Gambian government in the case of Musa Saidykhan.
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.
Police disrupt radio show, briefly detain two journalists
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 16 April 2009, Moses Ndene and Kebba Yorro Manneh, two sports journalists of privately-owned FM station City Limit Radio, were arrested and briefly detained by the Gambian police for allegedly criticising the administration of sports in the country. Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources reported that the arrest of the journalists […]
Authorities break silence on “disappearance” of “Daily Observer” reporter Chief Ebrima Manneh
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 6 April 2009, Gambia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Marie Saine Farduas, denied the arrest of Chief Ebrima Manneh, a reporter for the “Daily Observer”, a pro-government, privately-owned Banjul-based newspaper. The minister who was responding to questions from Gambian legislators on the government’s failure to respect the Economic Community of West […]
Court drops some charges against “The Point” editor, he is still accused of falsifying citizenship documents
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an abridged IPI press release: Gambian Court Drops Some Charges Against ‘Point’ Editor VIENNA, 9 April 2009 – A Gambian court’s decision to dismiss charges of publishing false information against journalist Pap Saine was a positive step in reversing government efforts to intimidate the co-founder of a leading independent newspaper, […]
Charges against newspaper publisher Halifa Sallah dropped
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 26 March 2009, Lamin Camara, lawyer of Halifa Sallah, publisher of the pro-opposition Banjul-based “Foroyaa Newspaper”, withdrew an application he filed at the Banjul High Court challenging the outrageous bail conditions imposed on his client by the Brikama magistrate court. Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources reported that the withdrawal of […]
“Foroyaa Newspaper” publisher released but faces new charges
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 19 March 2009, The Brikama Magistrate Court released on bail Halifa Sallah, publisher of the pro-opposition “Foroyaa Newspaper”. Sallah was detained for about two weeks on three criminal charges, including “sedition” and “spying”. Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources report that Sallah’s release follows an application by state prosecutor R. N. […]
Publisher Halifa Sallah faces criminal charges, including “sedition”; Magistrate Court grants bail but poses absurd conditions
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 11 March 2009, the Brikama Magistrate Court in The Gambia granted bail to Halifa Sallah, publisher of the pro-opposition “Foroyaa Newspaper”, who has been in detention since his arrest on 8 March. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that although Sallah has been granted bail, he will not be released […]
Publisher of pro-opposition “Foroyaa Newspaper” Halifa Sallah arrested and detained without charge
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 8 March 2009, Halifa Sallah, publisher of pro-opposition “Foroyaa Newspaper” was arrested and detained at a police station in Serrekunda, The Gambia’s second largest city. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that the police have not given any reasons for his arrest and subsequent detention. The sources reported three hours […]
“The Point” newspaper office stormed by police; editor Pape Saine charged with “obtaining Gambian citizenship registration by false pretence” in a separate incident
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 20 February 2009, three police officers stormed the offices of the privately-owned “The Point” newspaper in Banjul and briefly detained all staff members present. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s sources reported that for about 35 minutes the police officers, led by Inspector Kebba Fadera, attempted to force the reporters to disclose […]
Journalist Pap Saine re-arrested by police on charges of “false publication and broadcasting”
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 9 February 2009, Gambian Police Force officers rearrested Pap Saine, managing editor of the Banjul-based “The Point” newspaper, subjected him to several hours of interrogation and charged him with another offence of “false publication and broadcasting” at the serious crime unit. MFWA sources reported that Malang Ceesay, assistant superintendent of police, questioned […]
“The Point” editor arrested on charges of “spreading false information”
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 2 February 2009, following an article which appeared in the Banjul-based “The Point” newspaper, Pap Saine, editor and co-publisher, together with senior reporter Modou Sanyang, were arrested by officers of the Gambia Police Force and detained at the serious crime unit of the police headquarters in Banjul, the capital. Sanyang was cautioned […]
Journalists still live in fear four years after journalist Hydara’s murder
(RSF/IFEX) – On 15 December 2008, Reporters Without Borders expressed its disgust at the obstruction and bad faith of Gambian authorities, who have allowed continuing impunity for the killers of Deyda Hydara, co-founder of the privately-owned daily “The Point”, four years after his murder on 16 December 2004. Hydara, who was also the Gambia correspondent […]
NIA questions newspaper editor over “strange” telephone calls
(MFWA/IFEX) – Ousman Kagbo, editor-in-chief of “Business Digest”, an independent Banjul-based newspaper, was questioned by the notorious and much-feared National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on 3 October 2008, after it was alleged he’d received “strange” telephone calls from persons whom the authorities claimed were a threat to the security of the Gambia. Media Foundation for West […]