By Yunus S Saliu
The Hon Minister of Information, who presided over the just concluded media executives, managers, and other stakeholders’ forum, has reminded journalists of their responsibility to the public while urging them to improve on their content saying it is critical to the country’s democratic transition.
This important forum held at the Ocean Bay and Resort, Cape Point, Bakau last week was organised by the Freedom House in collaboration with the Media Council of the Gambia and supported by the USAID and centered on Improving the Quality of Media Content in The Gambia.
Addressing the session, the Hon Minister of Information Queen Lamin Jammeh congratulated the Media Council of The Gambia and its partners for conveying such an important event.
“Improving the quality of media content in The Gambia is critical to our democratic transition, rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, transparency, and accountability,” he underscored the importance of the forum.
He said his Ministry is pleased to see promoting rights and Justice in The Gambia and activities supporting the two days dialogue with media, managers, and their heads on the quality of media content.
Moving forward, he said the forum comes at a time when there is an increasing demand for quality news content, and responsible journalism, emphasising “Journalism is an essential pillar for democracy and good governance. Journalists have a responsibility to share information, which is the lifeblood of any Democratic Society by sharing, especially relevant information. Also, journalists contribute to economic growth and national development.”
By so doing, they ensure transparency in the conduct of public service and thereby hold public officials accountable, he added.
However, this laudable duty of the media, he said, can only be delivered by professionals, responsible media, “Thus you must continue to professionalize your reporting to occupy your legitimate place as the fourth estate and fulfill your responsibilities as stated under section 207, 208 of the 1997 constitution of The Gambia.”
So, “the media has a crucial role in this journey. We are aware that the many years of repression and Draconian group have left the Gambia media landscape in a difficult shape,” he added.
He, therefore, thanked the government of the United States of America through USAID for their investment in strengthening democratic governance in The Gambia.
However, Eric R Mehler, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Banjul disclosed that the US Ambassador to The Gambia recognized the challenges journalists in The Gambia faced under the previous regime “including censorship, harassment and violence.”
He stated that the ambassador commended journalists’ resilience and selfless dedication to rebuilding a free and vibrant media after so many years of repression and state control.
The Deputy Chief of Mission reiterated that Freedom of the press is one of the foundational principles of democracy. A robust, diverse, and professional media sector is essential to providing transparency that allows citizens to understand what their government is doing.
Meanwhile, “there is always ‘however’ journalists have shared with us that important challenges remain. For example, while it is certainly true that passing the Access to Information Act was a major accomplishment, it will not enable greater transparency and citizen participation until it is fully implemented,” he stated.
Mr. Mehler lamented that in The Gambia, female journalists have reported frequent harassment and discrimination, and often find it difficult to move into leadership roles. “To ensure The Gambia continues to enjoy a vibrant and dynamic media environment it is crucial to support women in this field and to foster the recruitment of more young women into journalism,” he advised.
Muhammed MS Bah, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) commended the Media Council of The Gambia for this great initiative while thanking the Freedom House and USAID for their support in the crusade.
He gave a brief background of the establishment of the Media Council as established by the GPU to serve as a self-regulatory body for journalists and media workers in the country, adding that they have both been working together to create an environment that supports professionalism in the media industry and to empower journalists and media professionals.
Among other things, he said collaboration seeks to address the evolving challenges faced by the media industry, including the rise of misinformation and disinformation (fake news), while they are working to develop sustainable models for journalism, encourage diversity and inclusivity in media representation, and promote freedom of expression and independent journalism.
Executive Director of Tango, Mrs Ndey Sireng Bakurin said media is not referring as the fourth estate for nothing because they are an essential part of the democratic process and “without a free and unshackled media, there is no democracy because it comprises the right to choose your representation, freedom of speech and association, movement, worship, and freedom of the press and the rule of law.”
Demba Kandeh, the DCOP PRJ Freedom House in The Gambia thanked the MCG and participants at the media dialogue.
Promoting Rights and Justice in The Gambia (PRJ), he explained, is fully funded by the American government through USAID and jointly implemented by Freedom House and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative.
He tasked participants to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the principles of media freedom, pluralism, and the public’s right to access accurate and diverse information.
