Dear President Barrow,
I belief this message reaches you in good well being. As a media govt emeritus and seasoned journalist in The Gambia, I’m compelled to voice my grave considerations over the current defamation allegations levelled towards journalists Musa Sheriff and Momodou Justice Darboe from The Voice Newspaper.
These accusations, arising from their articles about your purported departure technique and designated successor, have sparked appreciable concern among the many international group and defenders of press freedom.
As a proponent of democratic values and a free press, I implore you to rethink these fees. Prosecuting journalists for his or her reporting erodes the transparency and accountability essential to a strong democracy.
It additionally conveys a frightening message to the media group, which can inhibit the important movement of concepts and knowledge mandatory for knowledgeable public debate.
I respectfully ask that you simply dismiss the defamation fees towards Mr. Sheriff and Mr. Darboe. Such an motion would reinforce your dedication to the liberty of the press and the rights of journalists in The Gambia.
It would additionally signify your adherence to the ideas of justice and equity, that are elementary to your management.
Mr. President, we hope to see The Gambia champion democracy by permitting journalists to carry out their duties with out worry of retribution and by fostering a large number of voices to assemble a extra inclusive Gambia, one which embraces tolerance, civil liberties, and mutual understanding.
Mr. President, the impetuous use of libel and defamation legal guidelines to take journalists to court docket shouldn’t be ignored, as it could signify a tolerance for the intimidation and harassment of journalists, paying homage to the period underneath your predecessor, President Yahya Jammeh, whose tenure was characterised by quite a few human rights abuses and infringements on freedom of expression and speech.
Mr. President, The Gambia is at the moment ranked fiftieth out of 180 international locations within the 2023 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This place displays each the challenges and the progress made in press freedom within the nation underneath your management.
Notably, throughout Yahya Jammeh’s tenure, The Gambia confronted extreme restrictions on press freedom, which resulted in a low rating of 152nd out of 179 international locations in 2012.
The index highlighted considerations like censorship, arbitrary detentions, and harassment of journalists throughout Yahya Jammeh’s tenure. It is heartening to look at the notable developments in press freedom underneath your administration, that are extremely commendable.
During Yahya Jammeh’s rule, the appropriate to info was persistently violated, with communications being severed or censored. Journalists confronted assaults, arrests, torture, dying sentences, pressured exile, and the shuttering of media shops. Incidents included nocturnal arson assaults on media homes and printing presses, in addition to murders.
Notably, an unbiased newspaper was firebombed twice, and it was forcibly closed with out due course of. Additionally, the case of journalist Chief Ebrimah Manneh, who vanished with out a thorough investigation by the authorities, left his household and group in anguish.
Mr. President, the worldwide group has proven assist on your administration’s governance strategies, particularly your dedication to press freedom. The European Union, as an example, has introduced an $80 million assist package deal, reinstating assist beforehand suspended throughout Yahya Jammeh’s rule, in recognition of your dedication to democracy and the strengthening of a free press within the Gambia.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless considerations in regards to the velocity of reforms, as sure repressive legal guidelines live on regardless of pledges for change. There is an acknowledgment of the progress achieved underneath your management, particularly when contrasted with the earlier administration’s oppressive stance in the direction of the press and journalists.
Mr. President, we recognise the magnitude of the challenges you confront and the therapeutic that the Gambian individuals require to progress. A big transformation is essential to maneuver past the Jammeh period and rebuild belief within the state establishments amongst Gambians.
Mr. President, the commitments to press freedom that Gambia has publicly made shall be meaningless with out immediate motion. The targets your administration has set, together with eradicating corruption, can’t be achieved with out a press that’s free to function independently, safely, and with out the specter of retaliation.
Mr. President, I implore you and your authorities to instantly and unconditionally launch editor Musa Sheriff and journalist Momodou Sulayman Justice Darboe, drop all fees towards them, and be sure that the Voice newspaper can promptly resume its journalistic duties.
Mr. President, the battle for democracy is primarily yours, but journalists have a necessary function within the democratic strategy of a nation. It is essential that media professionals have the liberty to function, fostering belief amongst Gambians, and strengthening democracy and the rule of regulation.
We anticipate your full assist on this endeavor.
Thank you for contemplating this situation. I’m assured that you’ll act in one of the best curiosity of upholding the democratic values we cherish.
Yours sincerely,
Alagi Yorro Jallow
Former Founding Managing Editor of The Independent, now banned, and veteran journalist.
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