New charges against the indicted journalists and executive members of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) constitute a threat to the freedom of expression and independence of the media in the country, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) said Friday.
“This latest development is worrying and constitutes the latest affront to free expression and independence of the media in the Gambia”, MFWA Executive Director, Prof. Kwame Karikari said in a press release.
Hinting at the fresh charges preferred against seven persons made up of journalists and executive members of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) who were granted bail on Monday after pressure from civil society organisations for their unconditional release, Karikari further deplored the attitude of the Gambian authorities.
“MFWA is convinced that this latest move by the court confirms the intention of the authorities to jail the journalists by all means”, he slammed.
Arrested separately on 15 June, the seven stood trial on June 11 for issuing a statement against President Yahya Jammeh’s speaking ill of slain editor, Deyda Hydara.
The seven were again on Friday remanded in prison custody by the Banjul High Court until July 8, when they would make appearance to answer to criminal charges including “conspiracy to defame”, “defamation”, “conspiracy to publish with seditious intention” and “publishing with seditious intention”.
Source African Press Agency
