JOURNALISTS in Glasgow are today – Monday – holding a vigil to support seven colleagues in Gambia who are standing trial on charges of sedition.
Taking place to coincide with a court hearing in the West African country, the vigil is being staged at the Donald Dewar statue on the city’s Buchanan Street, with anyone wishing to show solidarity invited to be there between noon and 2pm.
It has been organised by Grace Franklin, editor the Local News Glasgow, with the support of the National Union of Journalists.
Says Glasgow-based NUJ president, James Doherty: “Gambian journalists have been threatened, imprisoned, beaten and murdered and this latest draconian action – charging our colleagues with sedition – proves the government’s contempt for press freedom.”
The Gambian journalists were arrested after producing articles critical of the president. They include three leaders of the Gambia Press Union.
Added Doherty: “In Glasgow and London, we will offer the hand of friendship to exiled Gambian journalists here in the UK, as we all demonstrate our support for their colleagues facing imprisonment for daring to do their jobs.”
The NUJ and the GPU are sister unions in the International Federation of Journalists.
