Africa-Press – Gambia. The Newspaper Publishers Association (NEPA) is concerned about the developments in the case of The Voice publisher and journalist, Musa Sheriff and Momodou Justice Darboe, and is calling on the police to drop charges against the two journalists.
In a statement issued , NEPA called on the government to respect the principle of media freedom at all times.
The full text of the NEPA statement is available below:
We, the Newspaper Publishers Association (NEPA), are concerned about the fast-moving case of the publisher and journalist of The Voice daily, Musa Sheriff and Momodou Justice Darboe, who have been charged with false publication for an article suggesting that President Barrow was contemplating quitting and had named Muhammed Jah as his successor.
While we respect the President’s interest in protesting or expressing grievances about his perceptions of the article, we believe that the threat of prosecution against the newspaper and the journalists, and the subsequent involvement of the police, has taken the matter too far.
We believe that, like any party aggrieved by the work of the media, the President could have used the mechanism of the Gambia Media Council, a self-regulatory body that deals with unresolved complaints against the media and has successfully resolved such issues to the satisfaction of all parties.
Again, we are of the view that discussions on the future of the President or the Presidency concern all Gambian citizens and like any other matter of public interest, the media should be free to discuss or air opinions and views on it.
In a democratic country, no one should be imprisoned or arrested for expressing their opinion on the affairs of the nation. All that is reasonably required of any person who disagrees is to present an opposing viewpoint or facts to prove the other wrong in the same open media space.
These accusations highlight our concerns about the existence of anti-press freedom laws that restrict freedom of expression in our law books. Even though the government has stated that it has no intention of using these laws against citizens, we are faced with a case where they have been used by none other than the President of the Republic.
This confirms our position that Gambians prefer the abolition of such laws rather than relying on the goodwill or assurance of the government or the president. These laws include criminal defamation, sedition and fake news. They are contrary to the democratic dispensation and have the effect of encouraging journalists to self-censor. Their abolition is imperative.
In conclusion, we call on the police to drop the charges against the two journalists and on the government to respect the principle of media freedom at all times. We hasten to say that we are available for any initiative, dialogue or step aimed at resolving this unfortunate incident amicably.”
Meanwhile, The Point has been informed that Musa Sheriff, the editor of The Voice newspaper, has been released on bail of D50,000. He has been ordered to report to the Gambia Police Headquarters this morning. This development comes after he was recently charged with false publication and dissemination by the Gambia Police on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, journalist Momodou Darboe was also released after paying bail of 25,000 dalasis last week.
The two individuals had previously been arrested and held in custody in connection with an article by Momodou Justice Darboe, which claimed that President Adam Barrow is working on an exit plan and had designated Muhammed Jah, the businessman, to succeed him as president.
POINT
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