The President of the Federation of African Journalists, Omar Faruk Ousman, has said the continent has lost high-profile journalists in The Gambia such as the late Deyda Hydara and Omar Barrow.
Mr Faruk Ousman, who made these remarks yesterday at a press conference held at the Gambia Press Union in Bakau Newtown, expressed concern over the missing of journalist chief Ebrima Manneh, challenging the authorities to launch an investigation into his disappearance while on duty at his media house as well as into the killing of Deyda Hydara, to judiciously deal with these matters.
He reiterated his association’s willingness to fight for freedom and protection of journalists in the continent including those in The Gambia.
According to him, thirteen journalists were killed this year nine of whom in Somalia and three in Nigeria.
He however maintained that they would make all efforts to ensure journalists operate in a more conducive environment.
He further revealed that they paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Justice of The Gambia on Wednesday to discuss some major problems affecting their work and how to create and maintain a peaceful environment for them to function.
For his part, the president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists who also doubles as the president of the West African Journalists Association, Mohammed Garba, lamented that many journalists were arrested and beaten in recent years in the continent.
He added that their associations will give more support to young journalists in the continent.