The
Young Journalists of The Gambia (YJAG) has condemned, in totality, the physical
assault on journalist Kebba Jeffang by militants of three political parties at
a joint press conference on Sunday.
The
militants of the United Democratic Party (UDP), the National Reconciliation
Party (NRP) and the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) attacked Mr Jeffang at the end
of a joint press conference they organised at the UDP Manjai Kunda bureau.
Mr
Jeffang is the acting PRO as well as treasurer of YJAG.
After
all the statements from the leaders of the three parties, Mr Jeffang was the
first to ask questions. As soon as he
introduced himself as a reporter from Foroyaa Newspaper, he was continually
interrupted by supporters of the various parties who were shouting “He is sent
by Halifa Sallah”
It
was hard for him to put his questions across because of harassments and
interruptions. Other journalists in the room were telling the wild supporters
“please allow us to do our job” but they never did.
Mr
Jeffang’s questions were directed at Darboe and Fatty, to clarify the cause of
the split and why the coalition cannot contest in this parliamentary election.
There
has never been an insult from Mr Jeffang, towards Lawyer Darboe as alleged by
his supporters. He merely asked journalistic questions. The Darboe supporters
decided to harass, intimidate and assault him physically.
Mr
Jeffang was bullied in the presence of Darboe, Bah and Fatty before he was
physically assaulted outside the conference room, but still within the premises
of the compound. Their conduct is unacceptable, illegal and irresponsible.
We
expect any responsible leader to condemn such an act, but none of the leaders
present at the press conference advised their supporters to distance themselves
from any form of violence or harassment and keep the peace when the reporter’s
verbal attacks intensified…
However,
sometime last month the same journalist Mr Jeffang was harassed for simply
asking President Barrow to state his position on the issue of gay and lesbian
rights, during the visit of the authorities of the EU.
Hamat
Bah also joined the fray by shouting at the reporter at that particular event
by complementing the president, as soon as he downplayed the reporter’s
question.
This
is not the type of Gambia we want. The media should be free to ask questions
and report on issues of public interest.
Attacking
the media personnel is a threat to the state because such attacks seek to
suppress freedom of expression, which is the foundation of democracy.
We
condemn this action in the strongest possible terms, and such actions should
not be accepted in our new Gambia.
We
want to register our profound disappointment and unhappiness about the action
of these UDP supporters, and call on the authorities to take appropriate action
and bring these culprits to justice as soon as possible without any delay; it
is unacceptable conduct as well as criminal.
If
action is not taken as soon as possible, we will urge on all young journalists
to boycott all activities of the UDP, the NRP and GMC tactical alliance, until
they are ready to take action.
We
equally demand a public apology from the leaders of these three parties on the
action of their supporters, most especially the UDP leadership.
We call on all Gambians and local, regional and international human rights organizations and freedom of the media organizations to stand up to demand justice for Kebba Jeffang and protect free press in The Gambia. We cannot and must not tolerate any attack against the media by anybody.
Signed
by: Mr Sulayman Ceesay
Secretary
General, Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG)
