Gambia press freedom worst in W.Africa -watchdog

Attacks on press freedoms in Gambia are the worst in West Africa, a press watchdog said on Wednesday amid mounting criticism of the country's case against six journalists charged with sedition and defamation.

Seven journalists were held last month following a statement by the Gambia Press Union which was critical of the government's treatment of journalists, particularly after the unexplained killing of veteran reporter Deyda Hydara in 2004.

Charges against one journalist were dropped last week and the remaining six are being tried having been granted bail.

"Repressive legislation, arbitrary arrests and generalised fear - nothing is spared the country's few independent journalists," Jean-Francois Julliard, secretary-general of watchdog Reporters Without Borders, said in a statement. "The press freedom situation in Gambia is the most serious by far in all of West Africa ... Daring to express an opinion or criticise the authorities is immediately regarded by the government as an attempt to besmirch the country's image."

The journalists, who are facing a total of six charges linked to sedition and criminal defamation, appeared in Banjul's high court on Wednesday.

Those arrested include three members of the Gambian Press Union, two reporters from The Point Newspaper and two journalists working for Foroyaa Newspaper. One of the journalists for The Point, Pap Saine, also reports for Reuters.

A previous charge of false publication against Saine, which had been dropped in April, was re-opened and then dropped again this week.

The Vienna-based watchdog International Press Institute (IPI) also reiterated its call for the journalists' release.

Rights groups frequently accuse Gambia of clamping down on the press and media freedom watchdogs say the death of Hydara has never been properly investigated by Gambian authorities.

They accuse authorities of using threats, arbitrary arrests and torture against journalists in the tiny west African country best known as a tourist destination for Europeans.
REUTERS