NEWS
CJFE AWARDS STATEMENT OF ALAGI YORRO JALLOW
  I dedicate this award to the memory of a great journalistic leader and
mentor, Deyda Hydara
By AG



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November 5, 2005
The Independent's managing editor Alagi Yorro Jallow pays tribute to slain
mentor Deyda Hydara; deplores crimes against media practitioners in the
Gambia. Mr. Jallow and a Ukrainian television news anchor Mykola Veresen
are this year's winners of the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
International Press Freedom Award (CJFE). The two winners were honored at
the 8th Annual International Press Freedom Award held on Tuesday, Nov. 1,
in Toronto, Canada hosted by prominent American investigative journalist
Seymour Hersh.

Below is the full text of the acceptance speech delivered by Mr. Jallow at
the auspicious event:

Honored Guest, Dignitaries, and Friends,

Thank you for such a warm reception. I further wish to thank the Canadian
Journalists For Free Expression and all supporters.

I humbly stand here to accept this award on behalf of all journalists who
have fought and continue to fight and struggle to inform, educate and
agitate against the injustices of repressive and autocratic regimes.
Moreover, I dedicate this award to the memory of a great journalistic
leader and mentor, Deyda Hydara, who was brutally gunned down by suspects
of state sponsored thugs called themselves the 'Green boys'.Almost eleven
months after his death no serious investigations by the police and no one
brought to book and again,the Independent arsons still remain unresolved.

This has been a natural road to this podium, facilitated by past years of
assistance from journalists and organizations from Canada. Your workshops,
motivation and inspiration have hewn my skills and catapulted me to this
level of prominence and recognition. It has fostered my ability to speak
out against the repression of free speech. Although, my mission is clear.
As a journalist, I must continue to expose, agitate and eradicate those
who seek to destroy the God-given right to freedom of expression and of
the press.

I salute the brave journalists throughout the World who have been
discharging their duties under the most difficult and trying conditions
even at great risks to their lives.

I especially salute my late colleague Deyda Hydara, my co-plaintiff in
challenging the controversial National Media Commission before the Gambian
Supreme Court. Deyda was assassinated in cold blood because of his
commitment and work to further challenge the the Criminal Code Amendment
2004 Act, which further violates the right to freedom of expression in the
Gambia.

This disdainful act enables an oppressive government to criminally charge
any journalist it does not agree with. They are charged with libel and
sedition, sentenced to a minimum of three years of inhumane imprisonment.
In addition, the newspaper proprietors must post a bond almost $20,000.

I was arrested several times and received many death threats from the
government. My offices were fire-bombed twice. The second arson resulted
in the attempted murder of my staff and the burning of a newly acquired
printing press. Some of these same individuals are believed to have
murdered Deyda Hydara. The highest contempt is to negate the life of a
human being and it is the grossest and most repulsive violation of human
rights. What right does a government have in separating a husband from his
wife, a father from his children, a friend from his loved ones, a
colleague from his professional community through sheer brutality and
malice?

The arson attacks on the members of the press were preludes to the vile
attacks on other illustrious members of society.

Ironically, the failure to awaken public contempt and denunciation of such
acts of brutality has opened a window of opportunity for those with
contempt to unleash their hatred on other journalistic members of the
media. They consider us as safe targets for their barbarous acts. Why
should journalists be held criminally accountable for giving the people
the avenue to exercise their freedom of expression?

The Gambian constitution states under Section 25 that, "Every person shall
have the right to freedom of speech and expression which includes freedom
of the press and other media."

Section 207 indicates that, "The freedom and independence of the press and
other information media are hereby guaranteed." How can such guarantees be
real when arsonists and murderers roam about freely to carry out their
contemptuous atrocities against the media?

Since all avenues have been unsuccessful to ensure the protection of
journalists, it is clear that one must draw public attention to our plight
and implore massive condemnation of all the aggressive official measures
raised to bring violators of free press to justice.

For assistance in promoting this public outcry for Gambian journalistic
freedom, I thank the World Association of Newspapers for their nomination
and the Canadian Journalists For Free Expression for this honor in
recognition of my contribution in solidifying a free press in the Gambia
and Africa at large. This award will further solidify my believe that
freedom of the press is an article of faith for me,a commitment born out
of my struggle for a better media in the Gambia and Africa at large.The
press is either free or it cannot be called the press at all.Freedom of
thought and the right to information are a fundamental human right.

Lastly, I wish to say that my job is not done, as I will continue to fight
this battle for journalist freedom, no matter where on Earth I shall
exist. I will tirelessly agitate, educate and communicate until all
journalists are free to print and broadcast all that is essential in
insuring true freedoms throughout this world.
Thank you.



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