Joe, Njok, Pa Samba et. al.,

Thought I might chip in with some ideas about the collection drive.

As many have observed over the past week or so, Deyda died in the course of standing up for ideals he strongly believed in. Not only was he carrying out a noble deed in fighting repressive media laws promulgated by a tyrannical regime, he was also upholding those very ideals and ethical vows which the journalism profession are respected and held in high regard for.

So in respect of him and his besieged professional colleagues I think it would be a good idea to expand this drive (see Pa Samba's mail copied below about the GPU's problems) to, in addition to helping the Mytre's immediate family in the short term, also include a fund to support the GPU in the long haul.

The need to support the GPU has become ever more immediate because we can all discern a clear pettern in Jammeh's campaign against Gambians: in addition to making men financially impotent so that political struggle against his regime takes back seat to daily bread and butter issues, he has waged a deliberate and calculated campagn against the press, the only institutuion that can churn forth the truth about his despotic and brutal regime without him being able to justifiably accuse them of political propaganda; and if I may add, Gambian journalists have really earned my respect in recent years even though most of the media houses made the grave mistake of accepting the Devil's 'Ramadan gifts'.

Deyda's murder has focused international attention on the Gambia and Jammeh's dictatorship in particular; infact much more attention has been paid to Deyda's murder by the international community than when fourteen unarmed students were massacred in April 2000.

We must not allow Jammeh (note I'm not talking about APRC because he is the APRC, just ask Baba Jobe, Yanks, et al.) any breathing space now that international attention has been brought to bear on the brutality of his rule. (I even heard the news of the murder mentioned on CNN a couple of days back).

Now that we understand what it would take to get international attention focused on Jammeh's brutal regime we must give the needed support to those journalists on the ground exposing his atrocities for all to see, even though that is just one facet of the struggle. It is heartening to see that they have not been cowered into submission by the murder of Deyda.

The American (and other representatives) may have been accused of meddling in Gambian's internal affairs had he visited any political party's headquarters but it would surely be quite another story visiting a media house as he did on that fatal Friday. Freedom of the press is a universal theme that many institutions in the international arena may be prepared to support than removing a dictator like Jammeh from power, especially in an African country.

The fool has been given enough rope and seems to be in the process of hanging himself. When all his atrocities are catalouged and international attention focused on them, in the end he may run but will never be able to hide as he will have less and less 'friends' to turn to, or countries to seek refuge, according Gambians a greater chance to put him on trial one fine day. But as the wollof are wont to say: let the helping hand find that of the helped at work.

We can work directly together with the GPU to:

1. Present a journalism award (the merits of which will be determined by the GPU with cash and trophy prizes) to be awarded annually to coincide with the day of the Martyr's assassination and 10th. anniversary of the POINT.

2. Have a continuous fund collection drive to support the GPU directly.

To this end I hereby make an initial pledge of NOK 500.00 towards this venture. Hope we can have some feed back and the participation of others but especially journalist and erstwhile journalist in the Diaspora. The two Ebrimas, Baba, Pa Ndery, Pa Samba and all of you who've worked as journalist in the past, your input will be highly appreciated.

Regards,

Kabir.



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Malik Jeng 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2004 9:31 PM
  Subject: Re: A Little Collection for Deyda Hydara -- R-I-P


        Joe, Baboucar et al, there isn't any one reciprocating our actions on your shores for this fund.  So unless someone comes up, you may send your contributions to the UK account given.

        Merry Christmas

        NM




          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: Pasamba Jow 
          To: [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] 
          Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 7:46 PM
          Subject: [Talk] Reporters in the Diaspora


          This message was sent to GambiaTalk by: "Pasamba Jow" 
          Inlight of the current trying times of our colleagues on the ground, i would suggest that those of us who worked as reporters in the Gambia to brainstorm on how best to help our colleagues back home.

          I was deeply saddened to learn that the GPU had problems paying  their rent which was about D3000.00. This is unacceptable, we all know how hard it is to work as reporter/journalist and should therefore do everything to help those on the ground. Jammeh and his clique would gladly see the press shutdown for good and i know they are elated by the suggestion by pap saine to close the point.

          Let us do it for Deyda, Barrow and all the victims of Jammeh's criminal actions.

          I can be reached at [log in to unmask] or 240 418 4980

          Pasamba Jow coach, 
          New Citizen Newspaper 
       

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