African Journalists Condemn Kidnapping of Union Leaders in Nigeria
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African Regional Organisation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), strongly condemned the kidnapping of Zonal leaders of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on 11 July 2010 as deplorable and a criminal act that was intended to destabilise NUJ’s dynamic leadership’s commitment to defend journalists’ rights and interests. According to a statement from NUJ,...
Message by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. JEAN PING, On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day
While we are celebrating the 17th edition of the World Press Freedom Day, 168 journalists are currently imprisoned around the world for expressing their opinions. Of course, considerable progress has been made since the 1990’s, with the advent of a new era which favours multiparty politics and, at the same time, the birth of an independent press whose outspokenness has been beneficial to governance and democracy. However, since the 1991 Windhoek...
IFJ Calls for an end to Impunity, Violence perpetrated Against Journalists
World Press Freedom, was celebrated all over the world on Monday May 3rd 2010, here is a reproduction of IFJ on the day.
The 2nd Congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) held in Harare, Zimbabwe from March 27th - 28th 2010, strongly expressed concerns about the recurrent threats, violations, aggressions and assassinations against journalists in the course of their duties to inform the...
GPU Observes World Press Freedom Day
Gambia Journalists under the stewardship of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) on Monday 3rd May 2010 observed World Press Freedom Day. 3rd May had been set aside by the United Nations to reflect on press freedom and related issues. The observation of the day in the Gambia took the form of a symposium organized by GPU at the Alliance Franco Premises.
Speaking on the topic Threats to Media Freedom, the Former Director of Information Service, Mr....
US Senate: Manneh is a prisoner of conscience
"Release the Reporter," the US Senate addresses the Gambian President. Read the comments in this PDF-file.
Chief Manneh Still Missing
- Ebriba Manneh
- F. Jaw Manneh
Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh of the Daily Observer who was last seen when he reported for work on July 7, 2006 is still missing.
Despite several attempts by his family, the GPU, concerned international organisations to locate his whereabouts or to get the State to release him as there have been claims of sightings of him at various Police Stations across the country, State Security Apparatus’ deny knowledge of his whereabouts or continued detention.
In June 2007, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), filed a complaint at the sub-regional Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria to compel the Gambia Government to unconditionally release Manneh or to answer for his arrest and subsequent detention.
Judgment on the case which was expected to be delivered on January 31, 2007 has been deferred several times as key witnesses (2 National Intelligence Agents alleged to have arrested Manneh and five other state security personnel) from The Gambia have failed to appear before the Courts despite summons’ sent to them through the Gambia High Commission in Abuja.
The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.
Fatou Jaw Manneh’s Trial continues
by LAMIN NJIE
The protracted sedition trial of Fatou Jaw Manneh, a Gambian journalist based in the United States Wednesday, April … continued before principal Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
GPU gets new executive
On Saturday March 22, the general body of the Gambia Press Union massively elected outgoing Secretary General, Ndey Tapha Sosseh into the office of president.
Ms Sosseh emerged winner follwoing a caontest against the The Point’s Ebrima Sawaneh. The two were nominated when Madi Ceesay, outgoing President announced at the Union’s triennial Congress Saturday that he would not run for a second term.
The President elect told journalists that her executive would focus on “ capacity building and intensive training programmes for journalists, self regulation in the industry, a constitutional (GPU) review and championing the cause of press freedom.
The members of the new GPU executive include first and second vice president, Modou Nyang and Sarata Jabbie Dibba; Secretary General, Emil Touray; first and second Assistant Secretary General, Lamin Njie and Madi Njie; Treasurer, Pa Modou Faal; And two copted members , Amie Sanneh and Buya Jammeh.
The Congress, chaired by Swaebou Conateh was held at the President’s Awards Scheme Bakau and elections were conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission.
GPU response
Read the open letter to the President
