Protests for arrested Gambian journalists PDF Print E-mail
News - Africa
By David Brewer   
Thursday, 02 July 2009
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some arrested journalists worked for The Point
some arrested journalists worked for The Point
Media freedom organisations says the Gambian government is trying to avoid publicity by bringing forward the trial of seven journalists held on sedition charges.
 
The hearing was to be held next week on Tuesday 7 July, but now it’s being staged tomorrow.
 
The journalists were arrested last month on charges of sedition for allegedly criticising the country’s president over the handling of investigations into the murder in 2004 of editor Deyda Hydara . An eighth was arrested while covering the first court hearing.


Pap Saine one of the arrested journalists
Pap Saine one of the arrested journalists
According to the Gambia Press Union (GPU) , two further charges have since been added, including conspiracy to Commit Criminal Defamation and Criminal Defamation.  The case has also been transferred to the High Court.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Amnesty UK and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) are staging a protest outside the Gambian High Commission in London’s Kensington Court at 12:45 tomorrow, Friday 3 July.

Amnesty has published a campaign page where supporters of the Gambian journalists can send a letter or fax to the Gambian government.
 

Ebrima Manne
Ebrima Manne
In Dakar, Senegal, the GPU is to hold a joint news conference with local media freedom organisations, SYNPICS, the Senegalese Broadcasters Assocation, the Senegalese Committee to Protect and Defend Journalists, and The African Editors Forum (TAEF).

On 22 July, Amnesty International UK is taking part in an international Amnesty day of action against what it calls ‘the rule of fear in Gambia’.
 
Amnesty UK will also be calling for an investigation into the disappearance of journalist Ebrima Manne three years ago.
 
Note: The author, David Brewer , set up and runs this site, Media Helping Media. He also runs Media Ideas International Ltd and tweets @helpingmedia and @mediaideas.You can reproduce this piece as long as you link back to this site, credit the author and, perhap, tweet about this piece.
 
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