Yesterday the President of the Young Journalist Association of the Gambia and a Foroyaa Newspaper court reporter was assaulted by a Prison Guard outside the courtroom. The alleged assault has seen a press release issued by the country’s apex media institution the Gambia Press Union. In a follow up to the Gambia Press Union the Gambia’s Young Journalists Association have issued this press statement condemning the attack on their President Yankuba Jallow.
YJAG CONDEMNS ASSAULT ON YANKUBA JALLOW, FOROYAA REPORTER BY SOME PRISON WARDENS!
The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) condemns the recent assault meted out on its member, Yankuba Jallow, Court Reporter for Foroyaa Newspaper and President of YJAG by some security warden.
Yankuba was attacked today at the High Court by some prison warden, demanding he [Yankuba] release his phone after he took a shot of the former NIA officials whiles leaving the courtroom.
The attack on Yankuba is a total breach of freedom of the press and total disregard and hindrance to the work of journalists.
GPU President Sheriff Bojang Jnr expressed concern saying such form of harassment and intimidation of journalists in the professional execution of their work is a classical violation of press freedom.
YJAG condemns the act and demand action to be taken against those officers responsible.
YJAG will continue to advocate for a safe environment where journalists will exercise their work in an atmosphere free from intimidation and assault.
We called on the GPU to follow up and take all necessary measures with the Prison’s service authorities to avoid such form of intimation against journalists.
We contacted him [Yankuba Jallow] and he’s doing fine now.
Signed YJAG
