GPU Press Release on Closure of Radio Stations

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is deeply concerned by the current climate of fear in the Gambia media as the state continues to crackdown on journalists. We particularly condemn, in the strongest terms, the recent closure of four radio stations.

On Sunday, January 1, personnel of the National Intelligence Agency visited Taranga FM, Hill Top FM and Afri Radio FM, ordering them to stop transmission with immediate effect. A week later - Sunday January 8 - another private station, Paradise FM, was shut down on similar orders.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, has purportedly confirmed the revocation of the operating licenses of these radio stations. However, neither the Ministry nor the NIA gave any reasons for the closures.