Press Freedom:Gambian Editor Awarded International Press Freedom Award
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World Association of Newspapers (Paris)
INTERVIEW
November 4, 2005
Posted to the web November 4, 2005
In September, Alagi Yorro Jallow, managing editor of "The Independent"
newspaper in Gambia, was awarded the 2005 International Press Freedom
Award by the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). He also
received a cash prize of CDN$3,000. RAP 21 spoke to Jallow on the eve of
the awards ceremony, which was held in Toronto Canada on 1 November.
How do you feel about being honoured by the CJFE and the international
community?
I feel heartened and gratified to have been chosen to receive one of the
two 2005 CJFE International Press Freedom Awards. I am especially
heartened by the World Association of Newspapers for their nomination of
my candidature to CJFE. It is a real boost to my morale and has encouraged
me to continue to fight for a better working environment for Gambian
journalists. This award further solidifies 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.
What would you say to other journalists who are fighting every day for
press freedom and who might feel demoralised?
I urge my fellow journalists to exercise fully the might of the pen to
oppose the tyrannical use of might over right. Press freedom is as old as
human civilization and one can never take this freedom, our right to human
dignity, for granted. My message to other journalists who are giving out
ink and blood in pursuit of a free press is that information cannot be
controlled, bulldozed or manipulated, as is the norm in some parts of the
world. Truth should not be compromised, come what may. All journalists
must strive to challenge any form of a bad press law that will muzzle the
freedom of the press in its totality. My late colleague Deyda Hydara,
founder of "The Point" newspaper, was killed, and I nearly met the same
fate, because of my firm stand against bad laws.
What will you do with the award money?
I will use the award to help my newspaper, "The Independent", to buy a
printing press (The newspaper's printing press was burned to the ground in
2004 and since then the paper has been unable to find a regular printer.)
Negotiations are already underway for a printing machine.
What are your plans for the future?
Relevant Links
West Africa
Press and Media
Gambia
My future plans are ensure that a free press prevails in the Gambia.
I am working with other pressure groups to try to repeal the draconian
media laws put in place and am also working to improve the security of
journalist in my country with other collaborators. I will return to the
Gambia in the shortest possible time to upgrade my paper.
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