Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has warned that despite improvements in The Gambia’s global press freedom ranking, journalists continue to face harassment, intimidation, arrests, assaults, and restrictive laws that threaten media freedom in the country.
Delivering a statement at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, GPU Secretary General Modou S. Joof said recent gains in press freedom should not overshadow the mounting challenges confronting journalists and independent media in The Gambia.
“We recognize significant improvements made in The Gambia’s ranking in the RSF Global Press Freedom Index,” the GPU stated, noting that the country is currently ranked 46th globally and eighth in Africa.
However, the union warned that “significant challenges” remain, including what it described as a lack of political will to fully protect journalists and reform restrictive media laws.
The GPU raised concerns over what it called increasing harassment and intimidation of journalists through arrests, legal action, and threats of lawsuits.
Among the incidents highlighted was the arrest of journalists Sheriff Conteh of In-Depth Media and Alieu Ceesay of The Alkamba Times during a protest in Banjul in May 2025 over the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets.
The union also cited the alleged assault of photojournalist Matarr Jassey of The Fatu Network during the same protest.
The GPU further referenced an ongoing defamation suit filed by Environment Minister Rohey John Manjang against journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh of The Alkamba Times over a report on alleged illegal logging.
According to the GPU, the minister is seeking damages exceeding US$725,000, an amount the union said could financially cripple the media outlet.
The statement also highlighted the case of Jollof News editor Momodou Justice Darboe, who was allegedly assaulted and arrested by police officers at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court in March this year.
Darboe was initially charged with common assault before the charge was later changed to common nuisance. He has denied the allegation.
The GPU also criticized the treatment of GRTS reporter Omar P. Jallow, who it said was interrogated by an intelligence officer attached to the Office of the Vice President after his village development committee invited an opposition leader to a fundraising event.
According to the union, Jallow was later removed from covering the Vice President and excluded from an official trip to New York.
The GPU further accused public institutions of showing growing intolerance toward critical reporting, citing incidents involving Askanwi Media editor Yusef Taylor and Voice Out Digital.
The union told the Commission that while some restrictive laws, including criminal defamation and false publication online, had previously been struck down by the Supreme Court, newer legislation continues to threaten freedom of expression and media independence.
The GPU specifically raised concerns over provisions in the Criminal Offences Act 2025, the Cybercrime Bill 2023, the Communications Bill 2025, and proposed broadcasting regulations by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
According to the union, some of the proposed laws contain broad surveillance powers, heavy fines, prison terms, and provisions that could undermine source protection, editorial independence, and online criticism of public officials.
The GPU also expressed frustration over the continued non-implementation of The Gambia’s Access to Information Act, adopted in 2021.
“Journalists, civil society, academia, and the public are denied access to information upon requests without accountability on the part of public bodies,” the statement said.
The union noted that public institutions have yet to designate information officers or fully operationalize the law despite the development of implementation frameworks and regulations.
In its recommendations to the Commission, the GPU called on the Gambian government to investigate attacks on journalists, end harassment and intimidation against the media, and fully implement the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission relating to media freedom and legal reform.
The union also urged lawmakers to review restrictive provisions in pending legislation and ensure the full implementation of the Access to Information Act.
“Put an end to impunity for violent attacks on journalists,” the GPU appealed in its closing remarks.
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