The Gambian National Assembly has amended the Information and Communications Act 2009, by stipulating a 15-year-jail term or a fine of D3 million, or both, on any person who spreads false news against the Government or its public officials, CEOAFRICA gathered.

The new act states that “a person commits an offence if he or she uses the internet to spread false news against the Government or public officials; or caricature, abuse or make derogatory statements against the person or character of public officials.”

Furthermore, the act stipulates that a person commits an offence if he or she uses the internet to impersonate any public official; blackmail any person; or threaten to commit a criminal offence against any person. This section shall apply to all without regard to the place from which the offence was committed.

Presenting the motion for amendment, the minister of Information and Communication/Information Infrastructure, Nana Grey-Johnson, said in recent past, some citizens of The Gambia have tried every possible way to pit the people and the security officials against the Government.

Nana Grey-Johnson said, “They do this by inciting the people to engage in unpatriotic behavior, spreading false news and engaging in criminal defamation against Government officials and such tendencies, if unchecked, are recipe for chaos and instability in any country.”

“Therefore this bill seeks to provide for the deterrent punishment of such persons who are engaged in such treacherous campaigns against The Gambia both internally and outside The Gambia,” he added.

The Information and Communication Bill was first enacted by the National Assembly on 6 April, 2009.