The
Gambia Press Union (GPU) is deeply concerned by the current climate of fear in
the Gambian media, as the state continues to crackdown on journalists. We
particularly condemn, in the strongest terms, the recent closure of four radio
stations.
On
Sunday, January 1, personnel of the National Intelligence Agency visited
Teranga FM, Hill Top FM and Afri Radio FM, ordering them to stop transmission
with immediate effect. A week later – Sunday, January 8 - another private
station, Paradise FM, was shut down on similar orders.
The
Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, has purportedly
confirmed the revocation of the operating licenses of these radio stations.
However, neither the Ministry nor the NIA gave any reasons for the closures.
The
Gambia Press Union is of the considered view that the nature of the orders for
the closure of the concerned radio stations did not follow due process, and is
therefore both arbitrary and unlawful.
The
GPU considers the closures to be a clear violation of the constitutional
provision of section 25 which guarantees freedom of the press, as well as
section 207, which places a singular duty upon the press to hold the government
accountable to the people.
The
GPU further sees the closure of the radio stations as a violation of the right
of the journalist to freedom of speech and their right to work. The closures
also violate the right of the public to receive, access and impart information
that could be meaningful in their lives, especially during this crucial time in
our country.
The
GPU is aware that the outgoing president, Yahya Jammeh, in a televised speech
on Tuesday January 11, has issued an executive directive that orders the
liberation of anyone in trouble in connection with the December 1st Election.
The
GPU is, therefore, calling on the concerned state authorities to order for the
reopening of the proscribed radio stations and to put a permanent stop to
arbitrary and unlawful closure of media houses, as this has become a norm,
rather than the exception.
Furthermore,
we condemn the unlawful detention of a GRTS journalist, Bakary Fatty, who has
been in detention since November 08, 2016.
We
call on the government to release him immediately, and to drop all charges
against Momodou Sabally, former director general of GRTS.
