By Sainabou Sambou
The Gambia Press Union has trained Journalists drawn from print, electronic and online on election safety and security during a session held at Baobab Holiday, Bijilo.
Pa Modou Fall executive member of the GPU described the training as important, added that it “has come at a right time whereby a country is coming to vote in a presidential election in December 4, this is a critical moment for journalist as regarding safety and security.”
He however urged journalist to compose and respect themselves and also know how to protect themselves and their equipment to avoid scam among other things.
“The political environment should be well study as far as election is cognitive for the journalist and as well as a concerned to the country to avoid been fall a victim,” he advised.
He cited that the GPU has engaged with the IGP and they will further continue such collaborations to make sure that journalists are well protected.
Buba Fatty, one of the GPU officials said as part of their efforts to ensure safety of journalists during elections, is that “the GPU has now established a safety hotline for monitoring attacks on media during the electioneering process. “
“with the hotline, the GPU seeks to engage in real time monitoring and documentation of attacks on the media and journalist, and after the election, the GPU will publish a report of violations used it as evidence to campaign and advocate for adjustments on law and practice,” he said.
‘If the pre-election rhetoric and accusation of partnership and biasness against the media and journalists by leading political figures is anything to go by, hell will break loose on the media as December 2021 presidential elections draws closer. We will hold a pre-deployment engagement with more than 50 police officers who would be deployed for election duties across the country and to sensitize them how to interact with journalists who will be covering elections,” he added.
