Gambian Journalists and Media Practitioners under the auspices of The Gambia Press Union (GPU), in partnership with the Association of Non Governmental Organisations (TANGO) and UNESCO NATCOM over the weekend joined the global media fraternity to commemorate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2014 held at the TANGO conference hall, along Berth Harding Highway in the Kanifing Municipality.


World Press Freedom Day ( WPFD) is commemorated annually to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and to remind Governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the Declaration of Windhoek in 1991. WPFD is also celebrated to appreciate and recognise those fallen and great media practitioners who used the media as an instrument to contribute to the socio-economic advancement and the development of mankind and their respect countries as well as those to remember those who lost their lives in the course of their duty as messengers of truth.


The Day was highly attended by a cross section of media chiefs, veteran Journalists, members of the civil society, politicians and practicing journalists from the different newsstands within the country on the theme " Reaching news goals; A Free Media Fortifies the Post 2015 development agenda" The Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Gibairu Janneh in his opening statement reminded the gathering of the significance of the day as it is also commemorated to remember fallen colleagues who were victimized for nothing or guilt but for speaking the truth.


Mr. Janneh, on behalf of the GPU paid tribute to late Veteran Journalist and Co-publisher of The Point Newspaper, Mr. Deyda Hydara who was brutally and gruesomely assassinated on 16th Dec 2004 while driving off from work and Former Daily Observer Crime Watch Columnist and Senior Reporter, Chief Ebrima Manneh who mysteriously disappeared since July 7th 2006. Janneh pleaded with the state to helping in the investigations of the cause of their arrests, detention, disappearance and murders of Journalists and bring perpetrators to justice.
 

He also advised Journalists and Media Practitioners to spread the truth and centre their respective works and practice on professionalism and ethical standards.


During the day there were various speakers including Ahmed Alota of the GPA, Alex Dacosta of the UN, Almameh Taal and Suwaibou Conateh.  Al Matarr Jobe, UNESCO NATCOM Executive Secretary said World Press Freedom Day 2014 is funded by the UNESCO Regional Office of West Africa in Dakar, as part of their advocacy campaign to linking freedom of speech and responsibility and avoiding double standards. "WPFD is celebrated to evaluate Press Freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks in their independence and pay tribute to Journalists who have lost their livelihood in the exercise of their professionalism" said Mr. Jobe. Ousman Yabo, Executive Director of TANGO also made similar remarks and wondered how the world would look like without the vibrancy of complete media.