After much talk about Gambia Press Union (GPU) congress – the newly executive can go to work immediately to address the immediate concerns in the interest of its membership.
While we have no influence on what the new executive should prioritise, we know very well that they know where to start from or continue.
We elect GPU executive members to act and to solve real problems of the media, not to keep winning elections.
Therefore, it is crucial for the new GPU Executive members to learn the advocacy skills required to defend press freedom effectively and institutional networking and partnership.
Executive members should welcome a development stint in the functions of the union such as Government Relations, Media Communications etc.
In light of all, the leadership challenges clearly spotted out before and during the congress, we believe it should make it a priority to communicate with the general membership more effectively and efficiently.
Effective and timely communication approach has always been a problem since 2011. And we believe this new executive should endeavor to inform the members of its activities like meetings on time, at least three or four days before such gatherings.
It should avoid informing the members of meetings and other events only less than 24 hours before the actual event as was done during the congress – in order to get full response from the members. Tight schedules at very short notice are only acceptable in emergency situations.
It must also broaden its communications channels by rebuilding its mainly dormant website and keep it consistently updated with GPU information about its activities, be it trainings, campaigns, and other GPU involved and related activities.
It is also very important to maintain a database of all of its registered members. This new executive should also ensure a culture of keeping proper records of all its activities and finances.
While it works on building the capacity of its members, the new executive should give room to the Union’s members who are freelancers. This group of self-employed journalists has very limited access to opportunities not only in The Gambia but the world. Their development is also very crucial to the development of the country’s media.
They should work towards promoting greater transparency and accountability – especially in the manner in which the Union’s finances and assets are managed.
Issues of press freedom and freedom of expression will continue to linger, so the Union’s leadership should ensure timely response to these issues whenever they arise, and financially, members can help the union by paying on time their monthly dues.
The Union needs to make good use of the School of Journalism to broaden its finance.
The executive should ensure holding general meetings regularly, and members too, should also attend meetings regularly to help the executive work progressively on its plans and activities.
Members need to continue engaging their leaders on issues that they think move the GPU forward, and expedite the repairing of the print press, so the high cost of print on some media house can ease.
We need a union of the people, by the people, and for the people! Good luck to the New Executive! Long Live the GPU!