The Gambia Press Union has said it has been informed of the alleged assault of journalists covering President Adama Barrow’s nationwide tour.
Reports abounded Thursday evening of the assault of three journalists travelling with President Barrow on his two weeks tour of the country.
It has now been revealed the journalists involved are Sally Jobe of Kerr Fatou, Ebrahim Jambang of Gambian Talents Promotion and Landing Ceesay of Paradise FM.
GPU in a statement said it has been informed the three journalists “have been physically and verbally assaulted by the supposed members of the delegation or supporters of President Barrow”.
“The incident happened Thursday afternoon at Janjanbureh-Lamin Koto ferry crossing point when the journalists began to film a protest by some members of the entourage who were not happy with certain logistical arrangement.
“It was at that point that the perpetrators advanced towards the journalists hauling insults and eventually physically assaulted them. Landing said he was hit on his chest. A phone in Sally’s possession has been broken after it was smashed as she was taking video of a man who was insulting her parents,” the union said.
The union’s president, Sheriff Bojang Jnr, who himself came under fire in March this year for assaulting a journalist spoke on the issue saying he had reached out to the director of press and public relations at the Office of the President, and the spokesperson of the government “to express our concerns to them”.
“They both expressed regret over the incident and also apologised on behalf of the presidency,” he added, according to the union’s statement.
The GPU says it is calling on the authorities to swiftly act to investigate the matter.
