By Binta Jaiteh
At least 25 journalists from different media houses are currently undergoing two-day election reporting training.
The training organized by International Foundation for Electoral system, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration the Gambia press Union (GPU) is taking place at the Paradise Suite Hotel, Kololi.
In his opening remarks speech, Muhammed S Bah, deputy president of GPU said the training was designed to offer journalists the requisite knowledge and skills to cover the entire elections process.
The training courses were delivered by both local and international bodies while at end of the training participated journalists will be given a copy of Cherno Jallow conduct of ethics and certificate participation.
He added that, as the country goes into the first post dictatorship presidential elections in December. The GPU recognizes that it is important to build capacity of journalists for them to effectively inform and educate public when covering the entire election process.
“Journalists and their media houses should work according to the dictates of code of ethics in other to remain professional to gain trust” he explained.
Alieu Momarr Njie, chairman of IEC said the training can only come now when the independent electoral is voiced to conduct the election in December 2021.
“IEC recently conducted a general voter registration and working towards the final credible voter process” he said
However, messages are coded from different players in the electoral process and receive by different orientation hence the need for diligence for maintenance of peace and stability.
Sait Mboob, enterprise officer from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also said (USAID) is pleased to support the training.
He added that the media plays critical role during elections holding the electoral official accountable and representing the people.
Democracy in The Gambia is flourishing and developing, the journalists are the shepherd as they represent the voice of the people.