TUC-Africa condemns harassment of journalists in Gambia

The African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), with its mission of protecting the rights of peoples and workers on the continent, strongly condemn the ongoing abusive acts in Gambia against Journalists.

This growing number of attacks and false accusations against Journalists greatly questions the freedom of expression, and as such, the democratic state of the country. News reaching us states that Ndey Tapha Sosseh, FAJ treasurer also former President of the Gambian Press Union (GPU) has been charged with treason and sedition by the State prosecutor’s office.

It is alleged that Sosseh along with three other people including, Matthew K Jallow, Famara Demba and the already detained former Minister, Amadou Scattered Janneh, sometime in May, conspired to overthrow the Government of The Gambia by unlawful means and thereby committed an offense.

These reported violations which obviously have the aim of suppressing the rights of Journalists have clearly exceeded its limit.

The question we ask is, where lies democracy if journalists who serve as a medium of news and information to the public and also have the role as agents of agenda setting for the polity are being intimidated and cannot freely express their views on civic, political and human rights issues ?
The ITUC - Africa strongly condemns these false accusations against Journalists in The Gambia as these charges are without bases. The incumbent Gambian government must demonstrate capacity to entertain dissent and be broad minded to accommodate constructive criticism. It is strongly advised to refrain from jumping at conclusions that persons holding different views and opinions are enemies of the state and thus should be put into detention and rail-roaded to incarceration on rump-up charges.