The Gambia Government has compensated four Gambian journalists in compliance with a ruling made by the ECOWAS Court.

The four journalists are Fatou Camara, Lamin Fatty, Alagie Jobe and Fatou Jaw Manneh.

The Gambia Press Union acting on behalf of the journalists confirmed that the four journalists on Tuesday were each awarded the Dalasi equivalent of US$25,000 from the government through the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou.

In a ruling made in February 2018, the ECOWAS Court of Justice based in Abuja, Nigeria, ordered the Gambia government to pay compensation of US$25,000 each to journalists Fatou Camara, Lamin Fatty, Alagie Jobe and Fatou Jaw Manneh for violation of their rights to press freedom.

The four journalists were variously charged and prosecuted by the then Jammeh government under what the court termed as “anti-free speech laws.” 

Fatou Camara, one of the four journalists, said: “I am glad that The Gambia has endorsed the ECOWAS Court judgment. I hope this serves as a lesson for governments to allow journalists do our work without harassment and intimidation. Our rights to freedom of expression, liberty, and freedom of movement should always be respected.” 

The Gambia Press Union welcomes the payment of compensation to the four journalists by the Barrow Government.

Sheriff Bojang Jr., the GPU president said: “The payment of the compensation to these four journalists is an important step towards addressing the crimes committed against journalists, who have suffered enormously under the former government. This move by the government is highly appreciated and we encourage them to swiftly deal with other pending payments, including the one for Musa Saidykhan and the completion of payment for the family of Deyda Hydara.”

 “On behalf of the good people of The Gambia, I wish to thank Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) and our parent body, the Federation of African Journalists, for their support and cooperation during those very difficult times. The journalists also have to be commended for accepting to participate knowing the potential attendant dangers,” Mr Bojang Jr. said.

The suit against the Gambia government was filed in 2015 by the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), along with the then four exiled journalists.