Honour For Slain Journalists
Monday 27th November 2006

By Baba Hydara

A little over a month ago, my mum Mrs Mariam Hydara, my sister Nelly, I and a host of guests from Africa, Europe and America attended a memorial ceremony in Normandy, France, for journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of the ideals of their profession.

Reporters Without Borders had erected a cenotaph for journalists who were killed in the last two years in the course of their work.

Among the names on that glorious cenotaph was my father’s - Deyda Hydara - who was murdered two years ago, even though his killer or killers are yet to be tracked down and brought to justice, as demanded by the national and international media fraternities.

It was a memorable day for the Hydara Family as it was an honour for us to have his name on the cenotaph in Normandy where heroes and historical greats such as Charles de Gaulle and Second World War veterans were laid to rest. These veteran soldiers fought for the freedom of France while these journalists, including my father, died for the freedom of expression in their own countries.

Mr Robert Menard, the Director of Reporters Without Borders, opened the ceremony with a speech extolling the heroism of the fallen journalists who paid the supreme price for the cause of the common good.  

This was followed by speeches from the envoy of the ministry of external affairs, the Mayor of Bayeux, and members of the French Senate who all expressed concern over the incessant killing of journalists, especially in the developing world. They also harped on the importance of press freedom in the advancement of any country, regardless of its size.

Though my father’s death will always sadden me, I am emboldened by the way he has been recognized and lionized all over the world. My father was one of those rare breed who had the courage of their convictions, a diplomat who valued dialogue over confrontation, a generous Muslim who helped others and a patriot who loved his country and was always ready to die for what he believed in. Despite threats and intimidations made by cowards on his life, he continued to work without fear. Unlike most of us, he never sought protection by wearing talismans or amulets.

I will always applaud my father’s gallantry and steadfastness to the cause he believed in. All the heroes remembered in Bayeux, both soldiers and journalists, died for an ideology – freedom.

Culled from The Point Newspaper, Monday 27th. November Edition