More media organisations decries jailing of GPU Six

The Media-for-Democracy in Nigeria group (MFD), comprising Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), Independent Journalism Centre (IJC) and the International Press Centre (IPC), hereby decries the jailing of six Gambia journalists on August 6, 2009.

The affected journalists including three officials of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Sarata Jabbi Dibba (Vice President); Emil Touray (Secretary General) and Pa Modou Fall (Treasurer); as well as The Point Newspaper's Pap Saine (Publisher); Ebou Sawaneh (Editor) and Sam Sarr, Editor of Foroyaa newspaper were all sentenced to a two year jail term and fined USD10,000 each for alleged sedition and defamation by a High Court.

The MFD calls on Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua to show leadership as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by intervening in the matter to secure a reversal of this unwholesome judgment particularly in the light of the fact that a Nigerian judge has been used to perpetrate this travesty of justice.

We call on West African, African and international human and civil rights movements not to spare any effort towards ensuring that the unwelcome jdugment is reversed as it constitutes unacceptable affront on press freedom in the country. We surely cannot keep silent in the face of this grave injustice and assault on the union and journalistic rights of the jailed colleagues.

It is indeed worrisome and certainly provocative that the alleged sedition and defamation arose from the jailed journalists' persistent demand on Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to account for the gunning to death of Deyda Hydara on December 16, 2004. The killers of Hydra, former publisher of the Point and well-known critic of President Jammeh's government, are yet to be apprehended five years on. The MFD demands the unconditional release of the six journalists.

President Jammeh should realise that neither their imprisonment nor other forms of assault on the media in the Gambia will stop the international media community from demanding that his government accounts for the killing of Hydara by finding the killers.

GPU-USA Sends More Money to Chief Manneh Family

Press Release

The GPU-USA has disbursed more funds to help the family of dissappeared Gambian journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh. A couple of weeks ago, GPU-Gambia received a little over D12, 000 from GPU-USA Treasurer Joe Sambou. The monies were channelled through GPU President Ndey Tapha Sosseh.

This morning, Ndey Tapha forwarded the email below from one of her colleagues in Bajul reporting that another installment of D2,500 has been handed over to Chife Manneh's father. The GPU-USA will continue helping Chief Manneh's family as lond as funds permit.

We continue to solicit contributions to the Chief Manneh Family fund on an ongoing basis. Those wishing to contribute can send their contributions to Joe DSambou in the U.S. or Njok Malik Jeng in the U.K. The GPU-USA weishes to thank all who have chipped in to help this family. Below is the relevant portion of the email forwarded to GPU-USA by Ndey Tapha Sosseh.

"Yesterday we took the money - D2,500 to the family of Chief manneh in Kombo Lamin. Receiving the money on behalf of the family, Sarjo Manneh the father of chief Manneh once again commended GPU Gambia and the GPU USA for the love and care both unions have demonstrated since the missing of his son three years ago. He aslo prayed for all."

Thanks all.

Baba G. Jallow
Secretary General
GPU-USA