By Adama Makasuba
The Gambia Press Union, an umbrella body of the country’s journalists has urged government to address issue of impunity for crimes against journalists.
Marking 2020 World Press Freedom Day, the Union said in a statement “we therefore call on the government to address the issue of impunity for crimes against journalists and carry out the media laws reforms with speed and purpose.”
“The Union remained deeply concerned by the new wave of attacks in 2020, including the arbitrary arrest of four media workers and the unlawful closure of two radio stations over coverage of anti-government protests,” the statement said.
The Union said despite the improvements, “the year 2019 is particularly remembered for the attack on the four journalists by supporters of the President,” adding “this incident, like dozens of similar incidents that happened since the new government took over in 2017, was never investigated as promised by the authorities.”
Reports show that about 250 journalists are currently in prison and at risk of coronavirus.
The Union however said it notes with appreciation the improvements that The Gambia has made in the latest World Press Freedom index released by Reporters Without Borders, adding out of 180 countries surveyed, the country has been ranked 87 in 2019, up from 92 in 2018.
