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Sunday, April 20, 2025
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Press union condemns assault on journalists

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By Alagie Manneh

The Gambia Press Union has denounced attacks on two journalists covering the swearing-in ceremony of Banjul Mayor Rohey Lowe yesterday.

Malick B Cham of the online platform Jamaanoo, and Ousman Joof of Gambian Talents TV were reportedly slapped, beaten and injured by supporters believed to be from the NPP.

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The matter has been reported to police with both journalists threatening legal action against their assailants.

In a statement, the union said the attack on the journalists came after a melee broke with the two journalists attempting to capture it on video.

GPU head Muhammed Bah said: ā€œThe GPU condemns the attacks on the journalists in the strongest terms and is dismayed by the unfortunate and never-ending trend of journalists being assaulted by political party supporters or at political events with impunity.ā€

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He called on police to follow through with their investigations and to ensure that the attackers are brought to book.

The union said that not a single assault case on journalists – 15 – have ever been investigated from 2017 to 2022, blaming the police and political parties.

ā€œThe Gambia government must ensure that the safety of journalists, like that of other citizens and residents of The Gambia is made a top priority,ā€ GPU secretary Modou Joof said. ā€œIn order to break from the brutal past, the government must be committed to ending impunity and to create a safer environment for the media to carry out its constitutional mandate without harassment, intimidation, and assaults.ā€

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