In 2004 the former editor of the newspaper Point, Deyda Hydara, was murdered. Five years later, in June 2009, the Gambia Press Union issued a statement complaining of the lack of any serious investigation, and criticised the dismissive manner in which the country’s president had spoken about Mr Hydara. The six members of the union’s committee were prosecuted for sedition for their comments about the incompetence of the authorities, and after a brief trial were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Following a vigorous campaign by various national and international human rights organisations they were released.
MLDI funded the defence of the ‘GPU 6’
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Stronger Together: Working with Funded Partners in 2024
Established in 2009 our Funded Partner programme supports local legal centres worldwide that focus on the defence of journalists.
Press Freedom Is at Risk — Help Us Defend Journalists
When journalism is silenced, power goes unchecked — and people suffer, especially those already marginalised. That’s why Media Defence exists: to protect journalists facing legal threats, so they can keep reporting the truth without fear of retaliation. Since 2008, we’ve supported over 2,000 journalists and independent outlets around the world. But the legal landscape has […]