Media Chiefs Speak

Yesterday, December 16 2007, marks three years since the late Deyda Hydara, a journalist of great professional ability, was gunned down by yet unknown assassins as he returned home from work on a day which was also the 13th anniversary of the founding of his newspaper, The Point.

As everyday, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) wishes to call the public’s attention to the fact that the perpetrators of this heinous crime have not yet been brought to book. They probably roam our streets freely lurking behind dark shadows. If it could happen to Deyda Hydara, it could happen to anyone of us.

The GPU also wishes to express its utmost disappointment that the state department responsible for the protection of life and property in this country have to date woefully failed to find the culprits. Instead, a National Intelligence Agency (NIA) “Confidential Report” meant to tarnish and belittle the person of Deyda Hydara was released to the press on 29 April, 2005 to the utter dismay of his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

An issue of concern for the GPU is the apparent failure of the authorities to show commitment in investigating atrocities against the private media and journalists. Regrettably, we are obliged to draw the attention of the Gambia government to the fact that many of our colleagues have lost faith and confidence in the ability of the security forces and the government to put an end to IMPUNITY. We have observed a similar trend in our society at large. Such a scenario is inimical to peace and security and poses a threat to media practitioners.

We do sincerely hope that you will re-commence investigations into the murder of Deyda Hydara and that this time around, no stone will be left unturned to trace the perpetrators of this dastardly act; and pave the way for an end to impunity and the restoration of public confidence, especially that of the private media.

We wish to honour the memory of Deyda Hydara and to register our stance against the overt or covert condoning of any form of impunity by our government. We believe that, as buttressed by provisions in our 1997 Constitution and by United Nations Conventions on Human Rights, The African Charter and Commonwealth Principles and Declarations, to all of which our government solemnly subscribes, every Gambian has the right to life and liberty and also that all people in this country must, without discrimination and distinction, be accorded equal protection of the law at all times, including when they engage in the expression of views and opinions on burning issues of the day, which affect them and their fellow citizens.
 
This notwithstanding, the Private Press is faced with draconian laws such as the Media Act 2005, the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2005 and a hostile operating environment.

The Press in The Gambia is faced with:

Repeated arrests and detention of journalists

Disappearance of journalists

Dragging Court cases

Deportation of foreign journalists

Physical assault on journalists

Closing down of media houses including Citizen FM, SUD FM and The Independent Newspaper

Arson attacks on media houses e.g. Radio 1 FM and the Independent Newspaper; and on individual journalists such as Ebrima Sillah, BBC stringer, and Alieu Bah’s [whose] houses [were attacked]; And the assassination of Deyda Hydara, Co-Proprietor, Founder and Editor of The Point Newspaper.

We therefore take this opportunity to call on the government of The Gambia to engage meaningfully with the media by: (i) providing an enabling environment that promotes freedom of expression, (ii) stopping the unwarranted arrest, deportation and detention of journalists, (iii) reopening all media houses and allowing them to operate without fear of reprisals, (iv) stepping up efforts into investigations on all pending cases relating to the assaults on journalists, particularly the murder of Deyda Hydara.

We wish to point out that democracy cannot prevail and development remains unattainable without the participation of an independent, free and pluralistic press. The media has a crucial role to play in the good governance of democratic societies, by ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting participation and the rule of law, and contributing to the fight against poverty.

We wish to remind the government that the Fourth Estate is a partner in development. The media can bring about behaviour change and social mobilisation for effective and sustainable development through the dissemination of information that is crucial for the life and development of communities.

To those who brutally murdered Deyda Hydara, you have failed miserably in your evil design to silence the voice of truth. Your criminal act has in fact turned his voice into a universal voice of truth and a universal voice of condemnation of evil and injustice.

We rejoice in the fact that Deyda Hydara will always be remembered as a courageous, steadfast and committed journalist. One who ascribed to the singular pursuit of truth, justice, transparency and accountability. He died a hero and a martyr to the cause of a free press for The Gambia.

Today, Deyda Hydara stands taller than he was during his lifetime; he towers like a giant over the heads of his brutal murderers and he continues to strike at the root of the evil that took his life.

The GPU Executive