By Adama Makasuba
Journalists in The Gambia have renewed call for scrapping of bad laws in the country’s law book as they celebrate World Press Freedom Day amid coronavirus restriction observed under the banner “Information as a Public Good”, which underlines the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information.
Every year UNESCO leads journalists and media around to the world to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media.
Lamin Njie, editor-in-chief of The FatuNetwork, celebrated his press Freedom Day by reflecting on the challenges journalists continue to face.
He said despite “Gambia has done well in terms of press freedom in the past four years” that “we cannot forget our colleagues in other parts of the world who continue to get killed for simply doing their job.”
“In Gambia, I would love to see the scrapping of all the bad laws that are still in our law books. I would also like to see the proposed Access to Information legislation promulgated into law which I believe will strengthen a free press in the country,” Mr Njie said.
He described: “a society without a free press is a society that is in trouble since there is darkness,” adding “The Gambia has done well in terms of press freedom in the past four years, and we cannot forget our colleagues in other parts of the world who continue to get killed for simply doing their job.”
Yaya Baldeh, senior journalist and communication officer for Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, observed the day by reminding duty bearers that “press freedom and access to information is an elementary human right which needs to be championed and cherished by any society.”
“Certainly, the call for the respect and promotion of WPFD is another cardinal moment to ponder over how long we have come to today gains. Even though, a lot is ought to be done to attain the desired aspiration. Happy WPFD anniversary!
“I salute the courage of Journalists, editors and every worker in the media industry for their profound courage and unshakable bravery in informing the public with accurate, balance and well-focused reportage,” he said.