- Deyda Hydara
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Deyda Hydara (June 9, 1946 – December 16, 2004) 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. [1]
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..[2]
References
- ^ Anger mounts after detention of journalists IOL
- ^ "PEN/Barbara Goldsmith". PEN American Center. http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/448. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
External links
- Obituary in The Guardian
- UNESCO statement about Hydara's death
- Reporters Without Borders investigation
- Press freedom groups demand justice - IFEX
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