Sheriff, who was interrogated last Thursday (Sept. 26) over a September 23rd story which claims President Barrow has chosen a successor as part of an exit plan, was asked to report to the police yesterday (Monday). He was arrested and detained upon arrival at the Police Headquarters in Banjul.
The deputy editor of The Voice, Momodou Justice Darboe, who was also interrogated last Thursday, was arrested, detained and charged with false publication and broadcasting. He was released on bail on Saturday (Sept. 28).
The Gambian President, Adama Barrow, had earlier threatened a defamation [civil] suit against The Voice Newspaper, according to reports quoting his lawyer on Sept. 25, before the police intervened and turned the matter into a criminal case.
"We maintain that the journalists have not violated any laws and urge the police to respect the right to press freedom and freedom of expression as provided for by the Gambian constitution and regional and international human rights laws that the Gambia subscribes to," GPU President Muhammed S. Bah, said.
The “False Publication and Broadcasting” law, which is recommended for repeal by the ECOWAS Court of Justice in 2018, Gambia’s Truth Commission in 2021, and a government media law review committee in 2018, is found in Section 181A of the Criminal Code. It is one of the laws used most against journalists during the country’s 22-year dictatorship.
Journalists could face up to a minimum one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to D250, 000 (over $3,644) for publishing anything that the government considers “false news”.
"The Gambia Press Union (GPU) condemns the arrest of both journalists and urge the police to immediately release Musa Sheriff and to drop all charges against him and Momodou Justice Darboe," GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said. "We urge the police to stop the harassment and intimidation of the journalists and allow them to freely go about their business - which includes holding the government and public officials to account."
We urge the Gambia government to expedite the much needed reforms on media laws in order to protect journalists from unnecessary harassment and intimidation, and also to end impunity for crimes against journalists and media houses.
