The Media Development Indicators Assessment project which is concerned with evaluating the development gaps within the media sector with a focus on the system of regulation was validated Saturday.
The media development Indicators Assessment MDI project was launched in March 2019 in The Gambia. The event also marked the first meeting of the national steering committee and team of researchers.
The MDI project is concerned with evaluating the development gaps in the media sector with a focus on the System of regulation, Pluralism and diversity, Media as a platform for democratic discourse, professional capacity and supporting institutions.
The MDI assessment will guide the government and other stakeholders in their priorities and strategies to support media development in The Gambia.
Following the launch of the project, ARTICLE 19 with the guidance of the steering committee developed a methodology and research tools to facilitate the research and data collection based on UNESCO framework. A team of researchers embarked on a country-wide survey to assess the media landscape of The Gambia. The data gathered will form the basis of a draft report developed, that will be enriched by desk reviews of policies and legislations and qualitative inputs from the steering committee.
The project was launched with the partnership of Article 19 and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural O organization (UNESCO).
Speaking at the validation of the project survey, Bintou Jaiteh, legal and policy assistance of Article 19, said the media plays a vital role in shaping democratic society. She however said it is important to create an enabling environment that allows the development of a free and diverse media landscape.
“The project is a stepping stone to achieving a vibrant media sector that is well informed as it takes into account that special challenges facing the country including decades of struggle against dictatorship, relative poverty and wider challenges associated with its recent emergence from oppressive rule and authoritarian governance,” she said.
She said The Gambia government is working towards changing the media laws, adding the draft laws have gone through an inclusive consultation process by the Ministry of Justice with her Organization Article 19 and Gambia Press Union.
“It is important to ensure that this project is home owned but also looking another experienced expertise from the region hence the setting up of the steering committee as stated in the methodology which consists of key Institutions ranging from, academic Institutions, Civil Society Organizations,” She added.
The Committee is made up of ten Institutions in the country including Gambia Press Union with a mandate to identifying development gaps and gathers data inform policy and development actions in the sector.
