Deyda Hydara
Encyclopedia
Deyda Hydara was a co-founder and primary editor of The Point
, a major independent Gambian
newspaper. He was also a correspondent for both AFP News Agency
and Reporters Without Borders
for more than 30 years. Deyda also worked as a Radio presenter in The Gambia called radio Syd during his early years as a freelance journalist.
Hydara was an advocate of press freedom and a fierce critic of the government of President Yahya Jammeh
, who has been openly hostile to Gambian journalists and the media.
On December 16, 2004, Hydara was killed in his car by unidentified gunmen; two of his colleagues were also injured. As of September 2009, his murder remains unsolved.
Although the killers have not yet been brought to justice, it is believed by some that the current government (Jammeh) in the Republic of Gambia may have been responsible for this act.
In 2005, Hydara was posthumously honoured with a PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award
,
Deyda Hydara is survived by his wife and his five children..
The Point (Gambia)
The Point is a daily newspaper published in Bakau, The Gambia. It was founded by Babucarr Gaye, Deyda Hydara, and Pap Saine on on 16 December 1991....
, a major independent Gambian
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
newspaper. He was also a correspondent for both AFP News Agency
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse is a French news agency, the oldest one in the world, and one of the three largest with Associated Press and Reuters. It is also the largest French news agency. Currently, its CEO is Emmanuel Hoog and its news director Philippe Massonnet...
and Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
for more than 30 years. Deyda also worked as a Radio presenter in The Gambia called radio Syd during his early years as a freelance journalist.
Hydara was an advocate of press freedom and a fierce critic of the government of President Yahya Jammeh
Yahya Jammeh
Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh is the President of The Gambia...
, who has been openly hostile to Gambian journalists and the media.
On December 16, 2004, Hydara was killed in his car by unidentified gunmen; two of his colleagues were also injured. As of September 2009, his murder remains unsolved.
Although the killers have not yet been brought to justice, it is believed by some that the current government (Jammeh) in the Republic of Gambia may have been responsible for this act.
In 2005, Hydara was posthumously honoured with a PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award
PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award
The PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award honours writers anywhere in the world who have fought courageously in the face of adversity for the right to freedom of expression....
,
Deyda Hydara is survived by his wife and his five children..
External links
- Obituary in The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
- UNESCO statement about Hydara's death
- Reporters Without Borders investigation
- Press freedom groups demand justice - IFEXInternational Freedom of Expression ExchangeThe International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....