Journalist’s killing draws world’s attention to Gambia

Dec 31, 2004

International media watchdogs are working to raise awareness of the situation in Gambia, where a journalist was murdered and the government may adopt more repressive press laws.

Deyda Hydara, 58, was managing editor of The Point newspaper in Banjul and a correspondent for Agence France Presse (AFP). On December 16, unknown assailants fatally shot Hydara as he drove home for work.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) – which also employed Hydara as a correspondent – is among several press freedom and human rights groups that have issued alerts on the situation.

Hydara and RSF were among those protesting new, restrictive media laws that the Gambian National Assembly had adopted two days before the shooting. The laws, which await President Yahya Jammeh’s signature, would replace fines with imprisonment for press offenses and increase the cost of a newspaper license 500 percent.

On December 22, hundreds of Gambians took to the streets of Banjul to protest Hydara’s murder, Reuters reported. People carried signs that said “Journalists Deserve to be Protected” and “Murderers must be brought to book.”

Hydara’s colleagues have said they believe the government was involved in his death, Reuters said. On December 17, the government issued a news release that condemned the “cowardly act” and vowed to find the killers.

RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=12104. BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4117189.stm. Reuters: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22209067.htm.