- journalists on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day this year, the Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA ) notes with special concern especially, the harrowing experience of media rights defenders in countries like Guinea Bissau and Mali who have had to perform their duties under very harsh conditions imposed as a result of the recent coups d’état in the two countries. In Guinea-Bissau, the military authorities are enforcing a media blackout which has worsened the already repressive media environment in that country. Mali is also facing similar threats.
The MFWA also salutes journalists and free speech advocates in all cou…
- Members of the Justice Without Borders has decried the deterring
conditions of migrants, particular in Mali, who are forcefully evicted and
facing deportations from the neibouring countries they seek refuge
in, and called for the effective implementation of the Ecowas protocol
on free movements.
Various speakers at a Presentation and Discussion on human rights
violations during the refoulement and displacement of migrants in
African as part of the 14-16 April 2012 Forum on the participation
of NGOs in the 51 Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human
and Peoples Rights and the 25th African Human Rights Book Fair, called for an immediate solution to the prevailing situa…
- Presidential frontrunner held after Guinea-Bissau coup bid
By Allen Yero Embalo (AFP)
BISSAU — The man tipped to win Guinea-Bissau's presidential election was in army custody on Friday after troops seized control of the capital of the coup-prone west African country.
Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior -- the favourite in a second-round run-off ballot set for April 29 -- was arrested during the apparent coup late Thursday, as well as interim president Raimundo Pereira.
As heavily armed soldiers patrolled the capital Bissau, a "military command" said it was not interested in power but acted because of an alleged "secret deal" between Guinea-Bissau…
- NGO Forum: Press release
FORUM ON THE PARTICIPATION OF NGOs IN THE 51ST ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND THE 25TH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS BOOK FAIR
Honorable Commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission), African civil society leaders and more than 100 Human Rights Activists from and beyond Africa will convene in Banjul, The Gambia for a 3-day meeting, to discuss the situation, challenges and strategies to improving democracy and human rights in Africa in readiness for their participation in the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission.
The Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the…
- For immediate release:
The Sandikaa Petty Traders Association (SPTA) refutes ASPA’s claims published in Gambian newspapers
The Sandikaa Petty Traders Association (SPTA) has refute allegations made by the ASPA through a press release published in the local Gambian newspapers that petty traders in Sandikaas are involved in selling of wet groundnuts, which could potentially harm the health of its consumers.
"After receiving the information that ASPA accused petty traders of being involved in such malpractices of wetting groundnuts for economic gains, the association felt the need to invite the President of its parent body (The Gambia Transport, Agricultural Food and Indus…
- Protect Women Human Rights Defenders
Dublin, Ireland [8 March 2012] – On International Women’s Day, Front Line Defenders calls for increased protection and recognition of women human rights defenders around the world. On a daily basis, Front Line Defenders receives urgent appeals for help and emergency support from women human rights defenders who face threats, harassment, intimidation, violence and even killing as they go about their legitimate human rights work.
To mark International Women’s Day, Mary Lawlor, Executive Director of Front Line Defenders, released a video statement calling attention to the situation faced by women human rights defenders. According to…
- As Gambia Gov’t Dissolves GFA
The Gambia's missing chance to win a home march against Algeria’s Desert Foxes in their opening game of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier tie in Banjul on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 has cost the Gambia Football Association (GFA) a dissolution of the entire governing structure of country's national football body.
According to online reports, the Gambia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Friday, 2 March 2012 announced the dissolution of the GFA leadership in the wake of Scorpions 2-1 loss to the Algerian national football team in their first leg encounter in Banjul.
The country’s new Sports Minister Alieu K Jammeh made the…
The latest report of the International Monetary Fund on The Gambia has revealed that majority of Gambia's 1.8 million people still lives in poverty despite an increment in primary school enrolment and completion, as well as an improvement in immunization, child and maternal mortality. - With the reported “robust economic growth” over the years, the latest survey on the country’s poverty situation states that the 58 per cent of the population lives in poverty.
The IMF report says the Gambia’s progress on reducing poverty has been mixed as various social indicators have shown strong improvement notably in education and health, but “a large share of the pop…
- At least 22 percent of The Gambia’s active labour force is without employment, and more than 40 % of those who are employed live below the poverty line of $1.25 per day.
Mr Samba Jallow of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, said according to the result of the Integrated Household Survey (IHS), the unemployment rate for the population aged 15 – 64 is 22 per cent but 5 per cent of the surveyed population did not report on their employment status. Employment rate for the same age group is 73 per cent.
However, he pointed out that 40 per cent of all those who are employed do not earn enough to pull themselves and their families above the poverty line of $1.25 per…
- As the world celebrates Music Freedom Day today, March 3, 2012, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) a freedom of expression advocacy organization, joins the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) to appeal to Ghanaians to protect and respect the free expression rights of musicians.
The annual Music Freedom Day is marked all over the world with events, seminars, exhibitions, film shows, radio programmes and newspaper articles on the subject of freedom of expression for musicians to highlight attacks on and violations of the rights of musicians to use their talents and skills to compose, sing and record freely. The day is in response to threats to freedom of musical expression all arou…
- The Gambia UPDATE: ECOWAS Court orders Gambia to pay compensation to tortured newspaper editor
The ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, Nigeria, on February 6, 2012 ordered the Gambian government to comply with its ruling on Musa Saidykahn, a former editor-in-chief of the banned The Independent newspaper, by compensating him for violating his human rights in 2006.
On December 16, 2010, the regional court confirmed that Saidykhan, was tortured by President Yahya Jammeh's security agents while in detention in 2006. It also ruled that Saidykhan’s arrest and subsequent detention were illegal and violated his right to personal liberty and a fair hearing as guaranteed by Articles 6…
- La version française suit
On the evening of January 31, 2012, Charles Sanga, managing editor of Le Patroite, a pro-Gbagbo daily newspaper, was arrested by officials of the Ivorian National Surveillance Directorate (DST) in Abidjan for refusing to reveal the source of information.
The newspaper had published a news story on the same day about the invalidation of eleven seats in last year’s parliamentary elections in the country ahead of the official announcement by the Constitutional Council in the evening.
The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the authorities had also requested Jean-Claude Coulibaly, the author of the story, to also re…
- As part of efforts to strengthen relationship between insurance providers and the public, the Insurance Association of the Gambia (IAG) on Monday, starts its annual weeklong sensitization campaign, to further increase the general public’s understanding of insurance and insurance policies.
The second edition of the Annual Insurance Awareness Week is part of IAG’s information, education and clarification programme that seeks to increase awareness of the public about the progress and benefits of The Gambia insurance industry.
In his remarks, Mr Henry Jawo, executive secretary of the IAG, said the insurance awareness week focuses attention on creating improved public relatio…
The International Monetary Fund has indicates that the local currency, the Gambian Dalasi, may be overvalued by 17 percent. According to IMF report, "a number of complementary approaches were adopted to assess whether the Gambia's exchange rate is aligned with fundamentals. - These alternative approaches proposed by the IMF Consultative Group on Exchange Rate issues include the macroeconomic balance approach, the external sustainability approach and equilibrium real exchange rate approach.”
According to the report, the purchasing power parity approach was also involved in the assessment, pointing out that these alternative approaches produce somewhat different results.
…
- A new World Bank report has revealed that African countries are losing out billions of dollars in potential trade earnings every year because of high trade barriers with neighboring countries.
A news release from the World Bank on Tuesday announcing the publication of the 191-page report entitled “De-Fragmenting Africa: Deepening Regional Trade Integration in Goods and Services” states that it is easier for Africa countries to trade with the rest of the world than among themselves.
The report is published at a time when African leaders are calling for a continental free trade area by 2017 to boost trade within the continent.
Barriers to intra-Africa trade include trade…
- The Media foundation for West Africa has received a grant award to carry a project which seeks to deepen citizens’ engagement with their local authorities in the Western region. The project dubbed “Using Radio to Promote Effective and Participatory Local Governance in the Western Region” is funded by Management Systems International (MSI) and USAID.
The project involves 9 radio stations in eight (8) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region as follows:
· Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan – Twin-City Radio and Kyzz FM
· Nzema East Municipal – Ankobra FM
· Prestea Huni-Valley – Best…
- Two journalists of Le Patroite, a pro-Ouattara daily newspaper, who were detained by Ivorian National Surveillance Directorate (DST), were on the evening of February 1, 2012 released without charge.
Charles Sanga, managing editor was arrested on January 31, 2012 after he refused to disclose the source of the day’s publication. In the case of Jean-Claude Coulibaly and the author of the said publication, he was detained in the afternoon of February 1, after he had responded to an invitation by DST.
In that publication, the newspaper broke a news story ahead of an official announcement by the country’s Constitutional Council of the invalidation of eleven seats in last year…
- La version française suit
Senegal ALERT: Detained Human Rights Defender released without charge, journalists and activists attacked
Alioune Tine, a human rights defender, also political activist who was arrested and detained for organizing a demonstration against the third term bid of President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, was on January 30, 2012 released after a 72-hour detention, without charge.
The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that Tine was picked-up by officials of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Senegalese Police at about 1700GMT on January 28, 2012, a day after he led the demonstration.
Tine, is the coordinato…
- Presentation on National Assembly Election delivered by Mr Alieu Sagnia, ICFJ Project Director at the 2nd Workshop on Election Reporting for Gambian journalists held at the Seaview Gardens Hotel 23-27 January 2012
What is an Election?
An election is the process of actualizing representative democracy. It is a method of selecting representatives of the people to manage the affairs of the state. These elected representatives reflect their individual or group (political parties) intentions in terms of political programs and philosophies. When elected, the representatives have the mandate of the people and that mandate becomes the authorization of representation.
Elections are important…
- AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
26 January 2012
Under strict embargo for 00.01GMT 26 January 2012
Senegal must not curtail freedom of expression and assembly in election run-up
Senegal must respect freedom of expression and assembly in the run-up to presidential elections, Amnesty International said today as a five-day protest ban begun.
The country's authorities have prohibited demonstrations between 26-30 January, with the ban starting one day before a key Constitutional Council decision on the validity of the candidates to stand for presidential election,
The opposition is contesting the right of outgoing President Abdoulaye Wade to stand for a third term in th…
- The Gambia UPDATE: Newspaper journalist accused of criminal defamation makes first appearance in court
Mamadou S. Jallow, a reporter for the privately-owned Daily News on January 24, 2012 made his first appearance in court to answer criminal defamation charges allegedly made against Mamadou Lamin Baldeh, a local chief in western Gambia.
The charges against the journalist stemmed from a January 4, 2012 article he wrote in which he had alleged that a rice farmer, Boto Fatojo, had accused Chief Baldeh of giving his Hajj ticket (a sponsorship from President Yahya Jammeh to embark on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to his lover.
The article headlined: "Presidential…
- Barely two months ahead of the National Assembly Elections, journalists drawn from both the print and electronic media are taking part in a week-long training course on election coverage and reporting at the Seaview Hotel in Kololi.
The event which started Monday to Friday, 23 to 27 January 2012, is a follow-up training on similar topic held in September last year, is geared towards enhancing media standards in reporting on the political processes leading to the parliamentary elections.
The training workshop is being organized by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) in partnership with the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and the Foundation for Legal Aid, Research and Empowerment…
- A criminal court in Gambia on January 17, 2012 convicted Dr. Amadou Scattered Janneh, a former Minister of Information and Communication of treason and sentenced him to life imprisonment with hard labour.
Three others, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow, both Gambians, and a Nigerian citizen, Michael C. Ucheh Thomas, were also handed a three year sentence each by the court presided over by Emmanuel Nkea, a Nigerian-born judge.
Before the sentence, Dr. Janneh, a former outspoken critic of President Jammeh and his jailed colleagues, had been on remand after their arrest on June 7, 2011. They were charged with two counts of treasonable offences for distributing materials demanding an end to…
- Allieu Sesay, a broadcast journalist working with Freetown-based Radio Democracy, was reportedly assaulted on January 15, 2012 and briefly detained by some policemen drawn from the Operation Support Division (OSD) of the Sierra Leonean police.
Sesay met his ordeal when covering the arrest of Aziz Carew, a constituency chairman of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) at his Fourah Bay home in the east of the capital Freetown. This was after a bye- election which resulted in violence.
Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the police accused the journalist of obstructing their (police)’s work.
“Thank God for the tim…
- More than 20 reggae musicians, top DJs plus other 15 selected Gambian artistes are participating in the ongoing Back to Africa Festival in Batokunku, West Coast Region. The musicians were among the over 400 tourists who jetted into The Gambia via Thomas Cook airlines last Thursday to witness and celebrate the historic festival.
The ongoing Back to Africa Festival currently underway at Batokunku village also marks the celebration of the 10th anniversary of ARIWA Records Company, owned and managed by Neil Fraser aka ‘Mad Professor’ who is the organiser of the historic event. Fraser was born over 50 years ago in South America but lives in London where he produces and promotes m…
- New York, January 10, 2012-Police in Gambia are harassing a journalist for reporting farmers' complaints against a local official accused of mismanaging public resources, according to local journalists and news reports.
A plainclothes police officer picked up reporter Momodou S. Jallow of the private Daily News on Friday while he was covering a public meeting of a local rice growers' cooperative in Brikamaba village in central Gambia, Jallow told CPJ. The journalist said he was detained for five hours in Basang police station and accused of "inciting violence" with a January 4 story based on interviews with local farmers who accuse a local official, Chief Mamadou Lam…
- According to the figures registered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), at least 106 journalists had been killed during 2011 in 39 countries, that is, around every two weeks.
The revolutions of the Arab Spring resulted in at least 20 journalists killed.
Compared with 2010 (105 killed), the figure as of 18th December 2011 showed no improvement - while 2009 was a record year, largely owing to the massacre of 32 journalists in the Philippines in one day, for a total of 122 killed, 91 journalists were killed in 2008 and 115 in 2007.
PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that 2011 was a particularly dangerous year for media work, because of the coverage of the uprisings in many Arab…
The chairperson of the African Union Commission has described 2011 as the "worst year" for Africa given the current spate of crises that have plagued the continent. Jean Ping, Gabonese-born diplomat who has been the chairperson of the AU Commission since 2008 was speaking to journalists in Banjul, Gambia shortly after holding talks with the president-elect of that country Yahya Jammeh. - The soft-spoken diplomat was in the country to among other things discuss with the Gambian leader Monday’s abortive coup in Guinea Bissau.
Ping said taking into account the situation which is prevailing in the region, mainly the situation in Guinea Bissau, it is very useful for him to se…
African leaders in Durban said it was time Africa got is fair share of global climate finance. The leaders strongly reiterated that, while Africa is determined to embark resolutely on the path of clean development, it needs adequate access to climate finance, with a clear link between development, adaptation and mitigation. - Closing the two-week UN Conference on Climate Change held in Africa, a high-level roundtable held at the Africa Pavilion featured prominent statesmen, international financiers and academics.
While Meles Zenawi said it was true that "Africa must today take the path of clean energy, whose production costs are significantly lower than fossil fuels," he added t…
Notre Voie, a pro-Gbagbo daily newspaper, has reappeared on the newsstand after almost a month of absence. Notre Voie, like other newspapers, had suspended publication after former President Laurent Gbagbo was captured in a raid by forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara on April 11. - According to the newspapers, they feared for their security.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that journalists of Notre Voie were working under difficult condition since they could not operate from the newspaper’s premises which were ransacked by pro-Ouattara forces who are currently occupying the premises.
The journalists of the newspaper had to work f…
Journalists from some independent press houses were denied entry by state security agents to cover the State Opening of the National Assembly on Friday 25 March 2011 by President Yahya Jammeh despite having official accreditations. It took the intervention of press director of the House to allow them in. - Reporters from various local based private own newspaper, namely Foroyaa, Today and The Point, The Voice and The Daily News private newspapers, Marketplace and News and Reports Magazines, frustratingly stood at the door to the National Assembly for about an hour before they were allowed in by frown-faced security agents after the newly appointed press director at State House, Fatou Camara …
Most privately-owned radio stations and newspapers in Lome, capital of West African nation of Togo on March 10, 2011 suspended their normal activities in protest against the continuous closure of three radio stations since December 2010. - The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent in Togo reported that while the radio stations played music throughout the day, the newspapers, with the exception of state-owned daily Togo Presse and the privately-owned Forum de la Semaine, were not on the newsstands.
The correspondent said the decision of the journalists to suspend their programmes followed a declaration of “No Press Day” by the media group, SOS Journalist…
Radio Shabelle based in embattled country of Somalia conferred with the 2010 Media of the Year Prize. According to the organizers Reporters Without Borders in partnership with the French retail chain FNAC, the station shares the award with jailed Iranian journalist Abdolreza Tajik for their bravery in news dissemination. - “This year we are honouring a courageous journalist, Abdolreza Tajik, and a beleaguered radio station, Radio Shabelle,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said. “These laureates work into two countries, Iran and Somalia, where reporting the news is a constant battle.”
Presenting the 2010 Media of the Year prize to …
