A peaceful protest outside PURA without procession has landed 23 Gambians in court, exposing stark inconsistencies in how the state applies the Public Order Act, just months after Gamtel/Gamcel staff protested at the gate of their office at Westfield without a single arrest.

The arrest of peaceful protesters opposing PURA’s controversial mobile data tariff hike has sparked a wave of condemnation from Gambian and international civil society organizations, who are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.

From the Solo Sandeng Foundation to regional and pan-African movements like Activista Africa and Africans Rising, rights groups warn that the crackdown mirrors a troubling pattern of repression, undermining the very freedoms Gambians fought to reclaim after Jammeh’s rule.

The arrests and detention of youth protesters challenging PURA’s D50-per-1GB mobile data price floor have once again exposed deep cracks in The Gambia’s security sector, raising fears of a return to Jammeh-era tactics where “orders from above” justified unlawful detentions, brutality, and disregard for due process.

Despite promises of reform after the TRRC, what happened at PURA’s office and the subsequent crackdown have reignited public concern over police discipline, accountability, and the right to peaceful assembly.

Nineteen individuals, including activist Yusef Taylor and rapper Ali “Killa Ace” Cham, were arrested on Friday, 22nd August 2025, following a peaceful protest outside the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) headquarters.

The demonstration was held in response to a controversial directive that triggered a 243% increase in mobile data promotional prices. Although the protest was static and conducted without loudspeakers or a procession, the Gambia Police Force deemed it unlawful, citing the lack of a permit under the Public Order Act.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape institutions worldwide, including journalism, The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is taking proactive steps to guide its responsible use in the media. With support from International IDEA, the union has embarked on a review of its Cherno Jallow Code of Conduct for Journalists, aiming at setting ethical standards for AI usage, among emerging issues. More in the news report.

The recent death of prominent activist Alain Christophe Traoré in custody and a series of cybercrime trials against journalists underscore the rapid erosion of civic space in the Sahel. Transitional military governments are increasingly using anti-cybercrime laws to silence critics, raising alarm over freedom of expression and human rights in the region. More in the report.

In Mali and Burkina Faso, authorities are intensifying their suppression of civil liberties, targeting journalists, artists, and public figures with arrests, travel bans, and intimidation. Despite widespread condemnation from human rights groups and calls for transparency, these actions persist unchecked, reflecting a growing pattern of impunity that threatens freedom of expression and democratic participation across the Sahel region. More in the report.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) warns of worsening press freedom in the Sahel, where military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Guinea are cracking down on journalists and activists. The MFWA urges regional and international bodies to act quickly to protect democracy and free expression. More in the publication.

Since 2020, the Sahel region has witnessed a surge of military coups that have toppled civilian governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, ushering in junta regimes with little to no constitutional oversight. This upheaval has led to systematic restrictions on fundamental freedoms—particularly freedom of expression, access to information, and the right to assemble—dramatically shrinking civic space and threatening the very foundations of democracy across the region. More in the publication.

In 2023, The Gambia ranked 5th in Africa and 46th globally, positioned between the United States and South Korea. However, this year, the country has fallen to 11th place, marking a setback for the ambitious goal set by the new Information Minister to make The Gambia the top-ranked country in Africa for press freedom. Achieving this target will require strong political will and critical legal reforms to surpass Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other African nations. More on this in the full report.

Press freedom is experiencing a worrying decline in many African nations. The region records the highest number of countries with declining economic indicators as 80 per cent have seen their economic scores drop. In many cases, media ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few private groups close to those in power and individuals with political interests, which compromises newsrooms’ editorial independence. More in the press release.

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day, African movements have issued an urgent call to action as civic space crumbles under the popular leadership of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso. A joint statement signed by 18 movements and activists has condemned “kidnappings” under the regime and urged the international community to intervene, as journalists and dissenting voices are being rounded up. More is detailed in this revealing press release, which highlights how opposing voices are being forced to face jihadists in the Sahel.

Freedom House Gambia Representative highlighted that Access to Information (ATI) is the disinfectant to public ills during the validation of the National Road Map for the Implementation of the ATI Act. More in the report.

Presiding Judge, Justice Sonia Akinbiyi of the Banjul High Court Annex, has ordered the referral of the ongoing case between Environment Minister Rohey John Manjang and Senior Investigative Journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh of The Alkamba Times to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for mediation, following the failure of negotiations between the two parties to reach a resolution. More in the report.

The ACHPR has noted that it would investigate claims by the Gambia Press Union that Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression are in decline because of the Government’s reluctance to repeal draconian media laws and acting on threats to utilize said laws to summon media personnel to court.

The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) have been issued a protest permit by the Gambia Police Force yesterday 5th November 2024 to protest tomorrow, 7th November 2024 in Banjul for a return of the 2020 Draft Constitution.

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) issued a statement condemning The Gambia Government’s use of Draconian Media Laws against Journalists.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) and allied media organisations and affiliates on Monday paid a courtesy call on President Adama Barrow to discuss key issues that affect press freedom.

His Excellency Adama Barrow on Monday afternoon received a joint delegation from the media fraternity, comprising the Gambia Press Union, the Media Council of The Gambia, the Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Women Journalists Association at the State House in Banjul.

The Gambia Press Union issued a statement condemning the Government’s lawsuits against the Voice Newspaper and the Alkamba Times grabbing headlines across the world in October 2024.