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Alert

Two journalists arrested

(MFWA/IFEX) - Two journalists in the Gambia, Modou Sonko, head of the lithographic section of "Daily Observer", a pro-government Banjul-based newspaper, and Isaac Success, production assistant with "Daily Express", a privately-owned newspaper, were on 3 March 2007 arrested by personnel from the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources say that although no reasons have been given for their arrest, it might be due to production work on an edition of the "Daily Express", which they undertook at the premises of "Daily Observer" without permission from its management.

The sources said it is normal practice for journalists in Gambia working with different media outlets to collaborate with one another in the production of their various newspapers without permission.

According to sources, a senior member of the "Daily Observer", unhappy with the work of the two journalists, invited NIA officials to arrest them.

Gambian journalists are threatened, imprisoned or attacked regularly because of their work. Journalists with the "Daily Observer" in particular, have been denied editorial independence since Amadou Samba, a close associate of President Jammeh, bought the newspaper from its founder, the deported Liberian journalist, Kenneth Best. Best was deported soon after Jammeh came to power in 1994, for alleged criticism of the regime.

The arbitrary arrests and detentions of Sonko and Success violate the1997 Constitution of the Gambia.

The MFWA demands that in the absence of any valid charges against the two journalists, they should be released immediately under no conditions, or in the case of valid charges being laid against them, the men should be brought before an impartial court without delay.