The Gambia Press Union has issued a statement condemning in the ‘strongest’ terms the physical assault on a reporter for the online platform, Kerr Fatou, by President Adama Barrow’s photographer.
Modou E. Njie of the Office of the President physically assaulted Buba Gagigo of Kerr Fatou who was covering President Barrow’s registration for a voter’s card on Wednesday, 2nd June, in Banjul, GPU said.
The Union said: “It is the second time that a reporter for the independent online news platform has been assaulted by persons associated with the President. In 2019, during one of the nationwide tours of President Barrow, a Kerr Fatou staff assigned to cover the tour was assaulted by a local language interpreter of the President after accusing the media outlet of being politically biased against the President.
“This latest assault on Kerr Fatou staffer happened in the presence of the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, police and other security officers at the McCarthy Square in Banjul where voter’s cards were being issued.
“The GPU sent a delegation to Banjul to make sure that the matter is given the attention it deserves and that due course of the law is followed. A formal complaint has been filed at Banjul Police Station where both the reporter and the alleged assailant gave their statements.
“The GPU can confirm that the matter is due for criminal prosecution at Banjul Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 4th June.”
