Deyda's Legacy Should Not Die- Pap Saine Tells Journalists

….As Saine Pays Tribute To The  Murdered Point Editor

By  Staff Reporter James Jammeh, Banjul

The Dean of Reuters News Agency Africa desk Pap Saine, who is also the Point Newspaper co proprietor,  has urged the country’s local journalists to do everything in their means to preserve the fine legacy left by his departed colleague, and business partner Deyda Hydara.  Mr. Saine was speaking at a symposium marking the fifth anniversary of  the slain Point editor held at the TANGO conference room.  Saine said Hydara’s legacy should be kept alive at all times. The Point boss noted that the late Deyda Hydara devoted his entire life promoting press freedom and the rule of law in The Gambia.

According Pap Saine, many of the country’s journalists benefited from Deyda’s benovelence and journalistic expertise.  He says Deyda’s beneficiaries are today serving the country in different fields of journalism. Saine said Hydara was a perfect gentleman who was keen at serving his country.

Madam Sarata Jabbie Dibba, Vice President of GPU,  in her remarks said the country’s media is yet  to recover from the pains they suffered from Deyda’s murder. She expressed outrage over the way and manner Hydara was murdered.  She further noted that Hydara was a gentleman who was willing to share his last savings with the poor and the needy.

" He also fought for the abolition of the draconian media laws in the country,  shortly before his death and would be remembered for his good Work,” she noted.

Madi Ceesay the former president of GPU and now the editor and publisher of the Daily news paper  said even though no arrests have been made since December 16th  of  2004, called on the authorities to re-open investigations into the killing of Hydara- saying that the sooner the matter is settled, the better  it would be for all of us.

" If the government does not have the strength to investigate, they should invite ScotlandYard, CIA  and other international institutions. He tasked the general public to give  information relating to the matter in order for the culprits to be brought to book. Ceesay stated that the Gambia is like post Saddam Huessein and his pre era, where journalists were threatened with death if they report anything negative on the side of the government.

Madi Jobarteh of TANGO, spoke at length, on the importance of press  freedom and access to information. He described Deyda and others who were murdered for the course of press freedom and truth in Africa as legends, whose legacy still remains in the minds of  the people. He called on the government to strengthen its relationship with the media who are partners in the development as nothing can go without the full participation of the media.

In attendance were media chiefs, some politicians including OJ.Jallow, Ousman Yarbo Executive Director TANGO and a cross section of media practioners with the exception of GRTS Radio, TV, Daily Observer and The Gambia Info.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Musa Sheriff  Editor  of the Voice, while Cherno Jallow a veteran journalist chaired the symposium.