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Freedom on the Net 2025

The Gambia

Partly Free
56
100
A Obstacles to Access 13 25
B Limits on Content 25 35
C Violations of User Rights 18 40
Last Year's Score & Status
56 100 Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free). See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
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header1 Key Developments, June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025

Internet freedom in The Gambia was stable during the coverage period. Digital journalists reported on sensitive issues but faced criminal charges and pressure to retract stories about powerful actors.

  • In March 2025 the National Assembly passed the Criminal Offense and Procedure Bill, which replaced two colonial-era laws.1 The measure contains provisions on false publication and broadcasting that the Gambia Press Union has described as potentially harmful to the work of journalists and media workers, including those working for digital platforms.2 Individuals found guilty of publishing false information can face up to one year in prison, while those convicted of insulting the president and other public officers can be imprisoned for up to six months (C2).3
  • Digital news outlets faced pressure to retract claims in their reporting. In June 2024, for instance, a lawyer for the minister of the environment demanded that online news site Akamba Times, which had published an article about the minister’s alleged involvement in corruption, publicly apologize for the piece or face a lawsuit.4 The minister followed through on the threat after the outlet refused to comply, filing a suit in September 2024 against the story’s author alleging libel and slander (C3 and C7).5
  • Online users continued to be subjected to arrest and criminal charges. In June 2024, an opposition member was arrested and charged with sedition, reportedly for an audio message he recorded on WhatsApp that allegedly referred to President Barrow as “know[ing] nothing” (C3).6

header2 Political Overview

After over two decades of restrictive rule under President Yahya Jammeh, respect for political rights and civil liberties has improved under the administration of Adama Barrow, who took office following a surprise electoral victory in 2016. However, his administration has faced criticism for continued corruption, and journalists, civil society groups, and others continue to face some pressure. LGBT+ people face severe discrimination, and violence against women remains a serious problem.

This report has been abridged for Freedom on the Net 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.

A Obstacles to Access

A1 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Do infrastructural limitations restrict access to the internet or the speed and quality of internet connections? 2.002 6.006
A2 1.00-3.00 pts0-3 pts
Is access to the internet prohibitively expensive or beyond the reach of certain segments of the population for geographical, social, or other reasons? 1.001 3.003
A3 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Does the government exercise technical or legal control over internet infrastructure for the purposes of restricting connectivity? 5.005 6.006
A4 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Are there legal, regulatory, or economic obstacles that restrict the diversity of service providers? 4.004 6.006
A5 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Do national regulatory bodies that oversee service providers and digital technology fail to operate in a free, fair, and independent manner? 1.001 4.004

B Limits on Content

B1 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Does the state block or filter, or compel service providers to block or filter, internet content, particularly material that is protected by international human rights standards? 6.006 6.006
B2 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Do state or nonstate actors employ legal, administrative, or other means to force publishers, content hosts, or digital platforms to delete content, particularly material that is protected by international human rights standards? 2.002 4.004
B3 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Do restrictions on the internet and digital content lack transparency, proportionality to the stated aims, or an independent appeals process? 2.002 4.004
B4 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Do online journalists, commentators, and ordinary users practice self-censorship? 3.003 4.004
B5 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Are online sources of information controlled or manipulated by the government or other powerful actors to advance a particular political interest? 2.002 4.004
B6 1.00-3.00 pts0-3 pts
Are there economic or regulatory constraints that negatively affect users’ ability to publish content online? 2.002 3.003
B7 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Does the online information landscape lack diversity and reliability? 3.003 4.004
B8 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Do conditions impede users’ ability to mobilize, form communities, and campaign, particularly on political and social issues? 5.005 6.006

C Violations of User Rights

C1 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Do the constitution or other laws fail to protect rights such as freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom, including on the internet, and are they enforced by a judiciary that lacks independence? 3.003 6.006
C2 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Are there laws that assign criminal penalties or civil liability for online activities, particularly those that are protected under international human rights standards? 2.002 4.004
C3 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Are individuals penalized for online activities, particularly those that are protected under international human rights standards? 3.003 6.006
C4 1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
Does the government place restrictions on anonymous communication or encryption? 2.002 4.004
C5 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Does state surveillance of internet activities infringe on users’ right to privacy? 2.002 6.006
C6 1.00-6.00 pts0-6 pts
Does monitoring and collection of user data by service providers and other technology companies infringe on users’ right to privacy? 1.001 6.006
C7 1.00-5.00 pts0-5 pts
Are individuals subject to extralegal intimidation or physical violence by state authorities or any other actor in relation to their online activities? 3.003 5.005
C8 1.00-3.00 pts0-3 pts
Are websites, governmental and private entities, service providers, or individual users subject to widespread hacking and other forms of cyberattack? 2.002 3.003

On The Gambia

See all data, scores & information on this country or territory.

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Country Facts

  • Population

    2,706,000

  • Global Freedom Score

    50 100 partly free

  • Internet Freedom Score

    56 100 partly free

  • Freedom in the World Status

    Partly Free

  • Networks Restricted

    No

  • Websites Blocked

    No

  • Pro-government Commentators

    No

  • Users Arrested

    Yes