I must first of all applaud the untiring and selfless efforts of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Peporters Without Borders, the Committee To Protect Journalists and a host of other media and press freedom advocacy groups in their(our) continued fight in the defence of the right for free speech and most importantly standing firm besides our colleagues in The Gambia who are at the moment facing the test of time. I have been a journalist in The Gambia, before and after the 1994 military takeover until 2000 when I decided to move to the United Kingdom where I now live. I must emphasise that I did not run away from the harsh realities of being a journalist in The Gambia neither am I a refugee or someone in exile as most media reports seem to portray me. I just belief in the saying that "Its better to live for your country than to die for your country". My country needs me and more so in these most trying times. I sincerely emphatise my colleagues in The Gambia for what they are going through because I have been there, illegally detained over five times, once with now another victim (Pap Saine) who I can call my mentor. I know the condition in which Journalists are detined in The Gambia. I have witnessed events in which a Journalist (Omar Barrow) was gunned down with impunity. Chief Ebrima Manneh who was not just a colleague but a personal friend is with the authorities for over three years and yet the authorities continue to blatantly lie to their teeth that he is not with them. Its almost five years since Veteran journalist Deyda Hydara was murdered and we are still asking the question WHO KILLED DEYDA? Surprised? NO! Very little is known about the problems Gambian journalists go through on a daily basis. But its not all doom and gloom. The recent trials and tribulations our colleagues are going through might come as a blessing in disguise. With competent barristers this case might lead us to who actually or was responsible for Deyda's death. It cannot and will not be treated as an isolated issue! The raison detre, Yes our colleagues were arrested for questioning and telling the Gambian President that the derogatory remarks about the death of a dignified Gambia citizen is unacceptable! Not only did The Gambian president negate his duty of protecting the life of a Gambian citizen,he even glorified the loss of that life on national television funded by The Gambian citizens. His statement about the demise of the honourable Deyda Hydara where not just "provocative and untimely" as our main Press union body (GPU) put it leading to all this fiasco, the comments where arrogant, verry irresponsible and displayed a sign of guilt. Why did The Gambian president wait five years to come up with some flimsy, arrogant explanation about Deyda's death? Why is he and his usually gung-ho security service are so jumpy about the mention of Deyda's name? And yes we've heard explanations like a neighbouring country allegedly masterminded Deyda's death to stop the Gambian president becoming the head of the AU. We've heard the alleged extramarital issues purportedly leading to Deyda's death. We've heard the nonsense explanations given by the so-called National Intelligence Agency (NIA) who struggle to distinguish between their role and that of the police force. One thing The Gambian president doesnt understand is that no Gambian journslist joins this profession for money or otherwise. We join this profession for the love of our country and most importantly to give the people a voice at whatever cost. In 1995, just one year into the military coup Pap Saine, Brima Ernest and myself where detained on some stupid charges of "Publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public." We were taken to court for six months when a credible principal magisterate, Christopher Onyia acquitted and discharged us after ruling that our stories where not just true, that even more than what we wrote happened at the notorious Mile Two Prisons. How much did we earn for those stories? 40 dalasis (£1 approximately)! So its not about the money! Back to the dilema our colleagues are facing now, forget about the harsh detention and interrogation they will be going through now, what they need is strong credible advocates to represent them. We do not anymore have the likes of Hassan B Jallow (now chief prosecutor at an international court) or Ousman Sillah on the ground who would readily and without prejudice give their services pro bono. Our colleagues need strong barristers who cannot be corrupted. I have had the experience of a lawyer purpotedly representing me regarding my detention over a theft case involving the police...And guess what? He conived with the police in trying to find out who the sources to my story were. What he didnt know though was that half of the team of senior police officers assigned to deal with my case all contributed to that story. So I was well informed of their every tactic and as such I was always ahead of them. When Magistrate Onyia was delivering that landmark judgement in our case, three times he had to leave court to answer to calls from the presidents office asking him to lock us up but dignified as he was, he refused to budge. Therefore we need to be more than vigilant with regards the predicament of veteran journalist Pap Saine and co's case. Lets keep up the pressure and surely good might come out of this case - At least we might end up unmasking the cowards behind the demise of veteran journalist Deyda Hydara. Long Live the right to inform and be informed!