{"id":417220,"date":"2011-05-04T11:39:44","date_gmt":"2011-05-04T11:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/04\/some-media-laws-threaten-press-freedom\/"},"modified":"2011-05-04T11:39:44","modified_gmt":"2011-05-04T11:39:44","slug":"some-media-laws-threaten-press-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/04\/some-media-laws-threaten-press-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Some Media Laws Threaten Press Freedom’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FOROYAA Newspaper<\/a> (Serrekunda)<\/p>\n

Musa Barrow<\/p>\n

3 May 2011<\/p>\n

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Gambian media laws pose a threat to press freedom, said publishers and editors of various newspapers in this country.<\/p>\n

They argued that the laws far from enhancing press freedom are stifling it.<\/p>\n

The media heads made these remarks recently in their various offices ahead of May 3rd World Press Freedom day celebration.<\/p>\n

In his description of the laws, Mr Madi Ceesay, the publisher of Daily News said, “One could be right to either describe the laws as draconian or anti press freedom.”<\/p>\n

Mr. Ceesay particularly pin-pointed the Newspaper Amendment Act of 2004 and Criminal Amendment Act of the same year as a thorn in the flesh as far as media freedom is concerned.<\/p>\n

In the view of the Daily News publisher, “These laws are making it very difficult for people to come up with newspapers and making the operation of newspapers difficult.”<\/p>\n

Mr. Ceesay called for the change of the laws in question, arguing that doing so will be for the good of the nation.<\/p>\n

He said with the softening of the present laws, more newspapers will come into existence.<\/p>\n

He added that with more newspapers, there will be more medium to enlighten the people which eventually will lead to a better citizenry.<\/p>\n

He further argued that the coming into being of new radio stations and newspapers in the country does not mean much progress in the quest for greater press freedom.<\/p>\n

“It is true that my newspaper and Standard are new, but we also saw the Independent as well as Citizen radio and newspaper died away,” he cited.<\/p>\n

Coming up with a newspaper in this country, according to Mr.Ceesay, is difficult.<\/p>\n

He explained that the law says that before one starts a newspaper he \/she must have a collateral of half a million dalasi.<\/p>\n

With the squashing of this law, he said, many more newspapers will open in this country.<\/p>\n

Mr.Suwaibou Conateh, the publisher of News and Report Magazine, also said media laws in the country stifle press freedom.<\/p>\n

He called for reform of media laws, saying if that is not done the media will not have the right environment to thrive.<\/p>\n

Mr. Conateh hailed the operation of radio stations by private individuals as a major advance in terms of press freedom in Gambia.<\/p>\n

However, he said the broadcast of these new radio stations has been limited to what he called ‘safe news’.<\/p>\n

On whether the recent closure of Teranga FM is a sign of press freedom on the decline in the country or not, the News and Report publisher said it does not signify the decline of press freedom.<\/p>\n

“The good sign is that even though it was closed, unlike the case of Sud FM and Citizen radio, it has re-opened,” said Mr. Conateh<\/p>\n

He described press freedom in the country as an evolving situation, comparing it to a chameleon constantly changing its colour.<\/p>\n

“This unsettling situation is not a happy arrangement for the media in this country. We should have some stability in the sense that people will be certain of their rights without harassment or intimidation,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mr.Pap Saine, co publisher and managing editor of The Point Newspaper said some of the draconian media laws in the country results to censorship.<\/p>\n

“We are appealing to the authorities to abolish these draconian laws so that we will do our work as independent newspapers,” said the veteran Gambian journalist.<\/p>\n

On the way forward to gaining greater press freedom, the Point’s managing editor suggested that the relationship between the media and government should be cordial.<\/p>\n

He also added that journalists should have access to information and that a school of journalism be established to train more journalists.<\/p>\n

The Publisher of Standard Newspaper, Mr.Sherriff Bojang said media laws pose a threat to press freedom, saying they need to be looked at so that the press can do its work properly.<\/p>\n

“Government must understand that it is in its self interest that there is a vibrant and free press in the country. Because after all, what the press does is to inform the people, to enlighten them about what is happening. This can only mean the betterment of the people,” remarked Mr.Bojang.<\/p>\n

However, Mr.Bojang added that the relationship between the newspapers and governments every where in the world is naturally conflictual.<\/p>\n

This he said is going to continue to be the case.<\/p>\n

“What we need to do as professionals both government and press is to see how we can manage that conflict for the greater good of Gambians,” advised the Standard publisher.<\/p>\n

On his part, the publisher of Voice Newspaper, Mr.Musa Sheriff described some of the media laws in this country as obsolete, arguing they should not be in existence now since they are remnants of colonial laws.<\/p>\n

“These colonial laws should be reviewed to make them compatible with 21st century thinking,” Mr.Sheriff suggested.<\/p>\n

He also said that there is a long way to go in achieving greater press freedom in this country, adding neighbouring countries are a step ahead.<\/p>\n

Mr.Sheriff also called for a Freedom of Information Act, saying its absence poses an obstacle to the work of Gambian journalists.<\/p>\n

Abdul Hamid Adiamoh, the publisher of Today Newspaper said some components of media laws are harsh.<\/p>\n

However, Mr.Adiamoh insisted that the media laws in the country are evolving, adding those who made the laws have their reasons for doing so.<\/p>\n

“We must understand that we are in an evolving situation in which not all of us understand the significance of press freedom,” he cited.<\/p>\n

The Today publisher believes that press freedom is abused at times by some Gambian newspapers.<\/p>\n

“In Gambia the reality is that some of us in the media abuse press freedom. There are few papers in this country that go beyond the limits set in terms of press freedom,” said Adiamoh.<\/p>\n

He however said there is no need to mention any name for the sake of professionalism.<\/p>\n

On the way forward for greater press freedom in this country, Mr.Adiamoh said the media need to be professionalized and should have a code of conduct and basic entry requirements.<\/p>\n

“If we do these things, we will naturally gain greater respect from the authorities and our readership,” said Adiamoh.<\/p>\n

He said with greater respect, there will be less intrusion in the media industry.<\/p>\n

Mr.Sam Sarr, the managing editor of Foroyaa Newspaper said a number of media laws in this country serve as a stumbling block to press freedom.<\/p>\n

He cited the Newspaper Amendment Act 2004, the Criminal Amendment Act 2004 and 2005 and the sedition laws as impediments to press freedom.<\/p>\n

The Newspaper Amendment Act 2004, according to him, requires a registration and execution of a bond of half a million dalasi.<\/p>\n

He added the law also requires that the Attorney General imposes conditions.<\/p>\n

Mr. Sarr described the combined effect of the Criminal Code Amendment Act 2004 and 2005 as encompassing three laws.<\/p>\n

He called the False Publication Law as unnecessary because there are already laws on libel.<\/p>\n

Libel as a criminal law, he said, was inappropriate, arguing that it is the aggrieved person who should file a civil suit rather than leaving it as a criminal law.<\/p>\n

On the sedition laws, the Foroyaa editor said they are colonial laws which have no place in a Republic.<\/p>\n

He questioned why the President of a Republic would associate himself with colonial laws that aimed to keep and assert the supremacy of the Monarchy.<\/p>\n

For greater press freedom to become a reality in this country, editor Sarr observed that the harsh press laws need to be repealed<\/p>\n

He added that there is a need to expand media freedoms by enacting a Freedom of Information law.<\/p>\n

He also called for the amendment of the Information and Communication Act 2009.<\/p>\n

This Act, he explained, gives the minister significant control over the media. He argued that an independent regulatory body should be in charge.<\/p>\n

Attempts to talk to the Daily Observer Managing Director, Pa Malick Faye, proved futile, as his busy schedule could not allow him to grant an interview.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\n‘Some Media Laws Threaten Press Freedom’<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda) Musa Barrow 3 May 2011 Gambian media laws pose a threat to press freedom, said publishers and editors of various newspapers in this country. 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