By: Kemo Kanyi
Muhammed S. Bah, President of The Gambia Press Union (GPU), has described the lawsuits against the editors of The Voice newspaper and the Alkamba Times’ reporter as attack on press freedom and freedom of expression.
The Gambia Police Force and President Adama Barrow have filed lawsuits against Musa Sheriff and Momodou Justice Darboe of The Voice newspaper while Rohey John Manjang instituted legal action against Kebba Ansu Manneh of The Alkamba Times.
Speaking to reporters on Friday at the KanifingHigh Court following the adjournment of the civil suit that President Barrow filed against Mr Sheriff and The Voice newspaper, Bah asserted that the suits are not in conformity with democratic values.
“It’s definitely an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression,” the GPU prexy stressed.
He stated that the suits represent a reversal in the country’s democratic gains and that they areindication of intolerance on the part of the President.
“Our position is that the President drops these charges for the interest of democracy, good governance and rule of law,” Bah stated.
He expressed his disappointment over the involvement of the police in the matter of Messrs.Sheriff and Darboe.
“It’s unfortunate that the police are also pursuing this case by bringing criminal charges against our comrades. This is not a criminal matter and the police have no business in the case,” the head of the Gambia’s umbrella press body lamented.
He stated that these lawsuits are in violation of section 207 of the 1997 Constitution, which states that the media should hold the government accountable to the people.
“The media has a mandate to hold the government to account. Why is the President not using the Media Council but the courts?” he quizzed.
On The Alkamba Times Vs Rohey John Manjang, the GPU president maintained that journalistKebba Ansu Manneh was doing his job as mandated by section 207 of the Constitution when he reported about her alleged involvement in a shady timber deal.
“I believe this is a test to the government to see whether they will stand by their words or not,” he stated.