Africa

The Gambia

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 1.62	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Despite constitutional guarantees of the freedom of expression and the independence of the media, journalists and citizens in The Gambia live under starkly different circumstances. Upon transforming itself into a civilian regime and renaming itself the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), it introduced a series of decrees aimed at gagging the media. Its pattern of harassment, intimidation, and censorship continued throughout 2009.

The Gambian economy is very weak; most people live on less than one dollar a day, placing newspapers—at about $0.50—out of reach. Investments flowing into the country have not had much impact on the media, especially in relation to advertisements. Most companies prefer not to advertise with the private media for fear of government reprisals, while others still regard advertising as a favor to the newspapers, rather than a promotional opportunity for their business. It is especially hard for community radio stations to operate as efficient, sustainable organizations; they are mostly sponsored by donors and have become highly politicized. Despite the challenging business environment, some better-established media houses are now working to improve the management side of their businesses; a number of management courses were conducted for media personnel this year.

On the new media front, the Internet can still be considered a novelty in The Gambia, but access is improving with the emergence of new mobile-phone Internet service providers—a sign of hope in a country with only one, government-controlled television station. The recent introduction of SMS news alerts has proved particularly attractive to young people. In addition, Gambians outside of the country have set up online newspapers, radios, and blogs. Although no registration is required to access online news content, the government frequently blocks websites it deems hostile.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 81 (Not Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

RSF Score: 40.50	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

Press freedom is stifled year after year by an intolerant and unpredictable government. The work of the privately owned media is hobbled by an extremely threatening climate, bolstered by laws of defamation and against “publishing false news” that are among the most draconian in West Africa.

The murder of the country’s most prominent journalist, editor of the weekly The Point, Deyda Hydara, on 16 December 2004, marked the end of a period when a well organised and rigorous private press could still stand firm against a government which did not hide its hostility towards it. Hydara was formerly president of the journalists’ union, correspondent for Reporters Without Borders and AFP, the doyen of the country’s journalists and a perceptive editorialist, pointing out the erring ways of the inexperienced and mystic young president. At the time he was killed, within a stone’s throw of a police barracks, Hydara was being permanently watched by the dreaded National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the head of state’s all-powerful intelligence service. Since his death, almost all those who were a thorn in the president’s side have fallen into step or have left the country. Apart from The Point, which is more or less protected by the aura of its deceased editor, most newspapers that tried to get a different voice heard from that of the pro-government Daily Observer have been illegally closed.

Africa

The Gambia

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