The Woman Journalists Association of The Gambia (WoJAG) has issued a press release for their dismay over attacks meted out to members of female journalists of the Gambia earlier this week. The attacks on these two female journalists included physical, verbal, and cyberbullying attacks.
Below is the press release issued by the WoJAG secretariat:
“The Women Journalist Association of The Gambia (WoJAG) is concerned with the recent reports of physical, verbal, and cyber-attacks on two of its members, Kaddy Jawo of Malagen and Jainaba Sonko of QTV Gambia.
Kaddy was physically assaulted and verbally abused by security officials at the National Assembly on Monday, July 8th, 2024 while she was at the Assembly to cover parliamentary proceedings. The attacker alleged Kaddy was not modestly dressed and therefore would not be allowed entry in the legislative house. The abuser’s attack left life-threatening bruises on Ms. Jawo’s neck.
Jainaba on the other hand was subjected to online threats, bullying, and insults after a video of hers was circulated online where she criticized the conduct of peaceful protesters (as) on QTV’s morning show.
WoJAG condemns in the strongest terms the actions of the National Assembly security officer and the Cyberbullying of the said young female Journalists. The public and the assembly are urged to desist from such practices as they could serve as a potential threat to freedom of expression and Freedom of The Press.
“The attacks against both women journalists are unacceptable and deeply concerning. Women journalists already endure a lot of challenges in their daily work. Any acts of violence against any journalists, no less against women journalists is the unacceptable standard of behavior in any civilized society,” said Annette Camara, President of WoJAG.
Banna Sabally, Secretary-General of the association advised journalists to always refer to the ‘Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics’ while executing their work. “Attacks of any form on journalists is a threat to the constitutional mandate of Journalists in The Gambia. It threatens Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press and the public. To safeguard the country’s fragile democracy, the public need to refrain from intimidating Journalists”.
“The Journalism profession is guided by moral principles spelled out in the Gambia Press Union code of conduct. We cannot afford to be unethical while doing our work. Let’s at all times uphold the code of conduct to avoid any form of biases and professional conduct that could potentially put us at risk” Banna added.
The Women Journalist Association of The Gambia urged the National Assembly of the Gambia to address the attack on Ms. Jawo on the most professional standards and equally urged the public to avoid putting more vulnerable groups at risk of being constantly subject to online harassment. The association urged both the National Assembly and the members of the public to send complaints to the Media Council of The Gambia which is vested with the power to resolve complaints against journalists.”
