Journalist released after nearly five months in detention
New York, October 12, 2006—Gambian authorities released a journalist on Monday after detaining him for nearly five months without charge, according to news reports and local sources. The journalist was arrested in a crackdown on a U.S.-hosted opposition Web site. Malick Mboob, a former copy editor for the pro-government Daily Observer, had been detained at…
Jailed state TV journalist freed without charge and fired
New York, September 15, 2006—A state television reporter jailed secretly for almost a week was released without charge on Thursday but learned that he had been fired from his job, according to CPJ sources. Dodou Sanneh, a senior TV producer with Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), was arrested on September 8 after covering an…
State TV reporter jailed after covering opposition campaign
New York, September 12, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the secret detention of a television reporter in the Gambia who was covering an opposition candidate running in the September 22 presidential election. Dodou Sanneh of state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) was detained September 8, according to sources who did not wish…
Two Nigerian journalists released after four days in detention
New York, July 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is relieved that the Gambian National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has freed two Nigerian journalists, but it’s alarmed that the pair were held for four days without charge or due process. CPJ remains deeply concerned over the state of press freedom in the Gambia. Sam Obi, a…
Two more journalists said to be arrested as crackdown continues
New York, July 17, 2006—Two more journalists were arrested on Friday in a government crackdown on critical voices in the run-up to September presidential elections, according to a CPJ source. Sam Obi, a Banjul-based Nigerian who recently founded an independent newspaper called the Daily Express, is being held by the National Intelligence Agency, two local…
New wave of media repression after African Union summit
New York, July 14, 2006—After a brief respite while hosting the African Union summit, Gambian authorities have resumed a crackdown on the media. One journalist has not been seen since July 7, five days after the summit ended. He is believed to have been arrested, while another has gone into hiding fearing arrest, sources told…