C'wealth Sec Gen Meets Independent Editors


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The Independent (Banjul)

May 7, 2004
Posted to the web May 12, 2004

Banjul

The Secretary General of the Commonwealth who was on a routine visit to the country met The Independent's editors Abdoulie Sey and Alagi Yorro Jallow Monday during which matters ranging from press freedom, the state of Gambian journalism and the situation of the Judiciary were discussed.

Don McKinnon held court with the editors who were invited by him and his entourage at the Kairaba Beach hotel to sound out their opinion about the democratic state of affairs of the country, particularly as it relates to situation of press freedom. Present on the informal deliberation was the Commonwealth Secretariat's public affairs officer Mwambu Wanendeya formerly with the BBC's Focus On Africa programme.
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Mr. McKinnon was on a four-day stopover in The Gambia as part of a whistle-stop tour of Commonwealth countries to report to heads of government about the organisation's programme of action for member countries. During his stay he had visited with government officials on the progress of such programmes, one of which is the Commonwealth's declared resolve to protect small states like The Gambia and their interests within and outside the organisation.

McKinnon's visit had coincided with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, which presented an appropriate occasion for the Commonwealth scribe to discuss with editors Sey and Jallow issues relating to the press situation in the country. Sey and Jallow took the opportunity to explain the circumstances leading to the arson attack on The Independent newspaper on April 13 and the trying climate of intolerance for journalists practicing in the country. The editors also raised the issue of the media commission standoff between journalists and the state, although the diplomat was studiedly careful with his words when asked about what the Commonwealth's position was going to be concerning recurrent acts of violence meted out on Gambian journalists.
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Mr. McKinnon also sought the opinion of the two editors on the state of the country's Judiciary. Using a recent United States report on the country's human rights situation, which was also unsparingly critical of the state of the Judiciary, the two editors authoritatively stated that although there were instances in which the courts had demonstrated a fair degree of independence and impartiality, there were also occasions, suggesting that judges were prone to executive branch pressure.

Mr. McKinnon and his entourage left the Gambia Wednesday.


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