Gajigo,

There were Phone-in programmes at GRTS Radio (Radio Gambia - which covers
the entire country) and SUD FM Banjul as well. All were asked to stop by the
authorities.

There is no ban on phone-in programmes in The Gambia. They were stopped
because at the time everyone was "pist-off" about the whole situation and
instead more ham was being done. The hosts of these programmes, the guests,
the callers were all angry and instead of engaging in a dialogue and trying
to calm down the situation, they were just exchanging accusations and
counter accusations. They were all blaming each other and threatening each
other. They were not calling for calm, but instead their actions and words
were just adding fuel to the already raging fire. This was the reason these
three radio stations were asked to stop the phone-in programmes.

There are times when certain undemocratic actions are taken to preserve
democracy, avoid anarchy etc. This was just one of those undemocratic
actions taken to help in restoring calm and tranquillity in the country.
When President Kennedy was assassinated in Texas and an investigation
ensued, there were certain information that were never released to the
public despite endless court battles from different fronts. Certain
information were classified and released only after 25 years or so. The same
applies to other matters such as the Watergate files. This has been done and
it is being done despite the existence of the Freedom of Information Act.
The authorities in the US knew that if some of the information were released
at the time, things could have gone out of control. They were released after
a "healing period". The same thing applies in this case.

I have listened to recorded versions of all three programmes and I am quite
sure if you had listen to them, you would have come to the same conclusion.

PEACE

TOMBONG
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