The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday awarded the press freedom prize to journalists devoted to press freedom. According to CPJ, the international Press Freedom Award is presented annually to recognise the commitment of journalists to the ideas of freedom of the press, even in the face of political persecution and personal hardship.

Madi Ceesay, president of the Gambia Press Union, was among five recipients on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 in New York. Speaking to journalists on his feelings about the award, Mr. Ceesay said: “I am happy to be honoured by CPJ and I dedicate the award to Gambian journalists.

In an interview with BBC, Mr. Ceesay lamented the lack of progress in the investigations on the killing of Deyda Hydara two years ago, the arson attacks on media houses and some journalist who he said have since fled the country in fear of their lives.
He finally expressed dissatisfaction about the relations between Gambia government and journalists.