The Gambia Press Union has reminded government of The Gambia to reform the long-awaited repressive media laws and guarantee protection of journalists and combat impunity and enable the media to carry out its work independently and without interference.
Speaking at the celebration of World Press Freedom Day held at the University of The Gambia, Muhammed S Bah, President of Gambia Press Union, said the union seeks to remind the government that the long-awaited reforms of repressive media laws in The Gambia continue to drag four years on.
“The Media Law Review Committee’s final report submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communications in May 2018 recommended for the review and amendment of the following legislations: 1. Information and Communications Act of 2009 2. Criminal Code of 1933 3. Indemnity Act of 2001 4. GRTS Act of 2004 5. Telegraph Stations Act of 1990 6. Officials Secrets Act of 1922 7. Newspaper and Broadcasting Stations Act of 1944.
“All these laws are recommended for review because they have problematic and disturbing provisions that are not in line with international norms, standards and democracy. Four years on, none of these laws have been successfully amended. A number of Bills seeking to repeal the laws have been in parliament gathering dust while no concrete steps have been taken by the government towards repealing or amending the rest of the anti-free press laws,” he said.
Therefore, “we wish to remind the government that it is the responsibility of the state to guarantee journalists’ safety and combat impunity and enable the media to carry out its work independently and without interference. This is in light of recent comments and actions by both public figures and private citizens (online and offline) targeting members of the media. Finally, in commemoration of this World Press Freedom Day, we wish to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the Gambian media. These are those who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods for the freedom and development of Gambian media in particular, and an inclusive and democratic Gambia based on respect for human rights and dignity,” he added.