The law on false publication and broadcasting was enacted in 2004 under the Jammeh administration in a bid to suppress the media. The current president promised to repeal this law within six months after acceding to power. After eight years the law still subsists and is being applied against two journalists of the Voice Newspaper. This is contrary to the recommendation of the Ecowas court and the TRRC that this law should be repealed.
This raises the question: Is the government really committed to repealing this law? If so, why is it bent on applying a law they do not like?
On the one hand, one may say Musa Sheriff and Justice Darboe are on trial for what the paper published. On the other hand, the government is also on trial as to its commitment to repeal this criminal law. If it pursues the case to the end it will be remembered for invoking a law enacted by the former government to suppress the media. If on the contrary it withdraws the case and repeals the law it will lift up its head and march majestically with honour and dignity to proudly say it puts this filthy brat to rest.
