Gambian journalists censored after arrests

30 Mar 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized

Two journalists have been arrested by military officials in The Gambia while on an editorial assignment at a tourist site. Media Foundation for West Africa revealed that Sanna Camara and Saikou Jammeh of the Banjul-based Daily News were detained by the Tourism Security Unit last week. Authorities questioned them for two hours for taking photographs without authorisation. They were both later released after signing an agreement not to write any negative stories about their visit. Last year, Reporters Without Borders, said that attacks on press freedoms in Gambia are the worst in West Africa.

UN calls for release of Gambian journalist

25 Nov 09 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called on the Gambian government to release journalist Chief Ebrimah Manneh, citing his arrest and detention as being without legal justification and in breach of international law. Manneh was a young journalist with The Daily Observer newspaper when he was arrested in Banjul on 11 July 2006 by Gambia’s notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The NIA failed to provide a reason for Manneh’s arrest and he has since been held incommunicado. (IFEX/MFWA)

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Jailed Gambian journalists to appeal

19 Aug 09 | Index Index, minipost

The six Gambian journalists whom were recently imprisoned will be launching an appeal against their two-year sentences and heavy fines, on the grounds that the convictions were unconstitutional. Hearing is most likely to begin in October as the judiciary is currently on legal vacation. Read more here