Gambia Condemns Killing of Newspaper Editor

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By REUTERS
Filed at 7:23 a.m. ET

BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambia's government has condemned the
fatal shooting of a newspaper editor and outspoken advocate
of press freedom and told police to find the perpetrators.

Deyda Hydara, 58, managing editor and co-owner of Gambia's
independent The Point newspaper, was shot three times in the
head after he left his office on Thursday.

He had been a critic of legislation passed this week to
tighten press freedom in the small West African country.

Hydara worked for international press freedom group Reporters
Without Borders, also a critic of the laws, which bear some
similarities to strict media rules in Zimbabwe.

The government -- led by former soldier President Yahya
Jammeh since a 1994 coup -- condemned the ``barbaric act'' in
a statement released late on Friday and ordered the police to
investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

Pap Saine, co-owner of The Point who also works for Reuters,
said he was considering closing the paper because of fears
for his safety and financial concerns.

Under the new legislation proprietors must sign a $16,600
bond, guaranteed by their home, before publishing. If the
paper prints libellous material, the owner can lose his home.

``Family and friends ask me to close the paper, not only
because of this harassment and killing but the bond. If you
commit a libel they'll take the house,'' Saine said.

The shooting in the former British colony and tourist
destination follows a series of attacks on media outlets.

In April, an independent newspaper was torched for the second
time in six months. The paper accused the state of being
behind the attack, a charge the government denied.

In 2001 authorities closed down a broadcaster and the year
before arsonists attacked a private radio station.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said
earlier this year it was keeping a close eye on Gambia.

After Hydara's death the CPJ urged the Gambian government to
do everything it could to find his killers.

``We mourn the loss of our colleague Deyda Hydara and call on
President Jammeh to do everything in his power to ensure
Hydara's murderers are found and brought to justice,'' CPJ
Executive Director Ann Cooper said in a statement.

``The Gambia is earning a reputation as a place where people
can attack journalists with complete impunity. Prosecuting
those responsible for this murder would send a clear message
that violence against the press will not be tolerated.''