Four
Gambian journalists who were arrested by the police on Sunday during the
Operation Three Years Jotna’s protest have been released on police bail. Over
hundred more protesters were equally released on bail, while dozens were being
processed for their initial court trial, government’s spokesperson Ebrima G.
Sankareh confirmed to The Point.
The
arrested journalists: Pa Modou Bojang, the manager of Home Digital FM, Gibbi
Jallow the manager of King FM, Ebrima Jallow and Madiou Jallow both staff of
King FM Radio Station.
They
have been charged with incitement of violence and are urged to report to the
police today.
Gibbi
Jallow who spoke to journalists immediately after his release said: “We were
not maltreated during our detention. However, we were not comfortable in one
room due to the number of people that were in the room.”
The
secretary general of GPU, Saikou Jammeh, said more than 12 journalists have
been assaulted since 2017 and the police failed to carry out investigations,
saying “we will engage the police and politicians regarding the role of
journalists.
“Now,
what we will do is that anyone who assaults journalists, if the police fail to
investigate and prosecute the perpetrators, the Union will take such matters to
court.”
The
Gambia Press Union (GPU) in a press release described the closure of the two
radio stations as arbitrary and unlawful. It also condemned the attack of
journalist Sankulleh Gibril Janko by protesters.
“Equally,
the proclamation contained in yesterday’s press release which appears to warn
journalists against presenting divergent views is as dangerous as it is
unlawful. It has no legitimate basis, and therefore, we call on the media to
disregard it and present as diverse opinions as possible on any issue of
legitimate public interest and the issue of the tenure of the president is one
such issue. We will challenge any attempt by the government to pursue further
with the implementation of this proclamation.”
“The
Information and Communication Act (s36) gives powers to only the Minister of
Information to suspend or revoke a broadcasting licence. The security has no
powers to shut down a radio station. Through our consultations with the
minister, we have confirmed that no such order came from the office of the
minister, Ebrima Sillah. Moreover, the laid-down conditions for doing so have
not been met,” Mr. Jammeh said on Monday.
