By Binta Jaiteh
Dozens of Journalists are undergoing a two-day training on media Peace and safety ahead the parliamentary election. The training was organised by the Frederich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Office of Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa office and it was held at YMCA Kanifing.
Speaking at the training, Cherno Jallow, Doyen and former administrative of GPU said media practitioners should know the role between them and the government. Your duty is to educate and inform the public and as long as that is your duty it is always a tendency between the press and the government.
“We are trying to mitigate the situation what had happen during the first, Second Republic and whether it will happen in the Third Republic will depend on the media industry and government leadership. Between them they can work out that compromise and make things easy for the press and the government,” he explained.
“One thing is that the press has come of age as far as the country is concern. It is admirable and commendable in our time compared to our time is a vast difference. I will be stressed on one area in your reporting that which constitutes your weaknesses of the press in The Gambia is your fault but the fault of poverty in the media, as long as our media is not financially independent.
“I have seen people because they are media houses could not afford to send their reporters for coverage due to finance they depend on the good will of party and party militant for transportation. Journalists should be able to stand above the emotions of the public, it is a difficult challenge but we can do it. I will implore you people to take note of this situation because is above you and the media houses journalists should be objective,” he added.
Mr John C. Njie chairman of the CSO coalition on election rated the training good and looking at journalism in this country, “I know we have come beyond that it is your personal development that is also key.”
According to him, journalists must be inquisitive ask the necessary questions and be investigative, if you request for a transport refund from a particular political party, they will obviously give you a story to cover after sometimes you begin to wear their colours.
He said: “In 2017 I remember when change comes everybody was saying is good that the dictator has left and objectivity was thrown out of the window nobody or few journalists held this coalition government in charge because people were looking in for favours like jobs. Sad to say how many journalists will stand up with their heads high. I urge the young journalists not to jeopardize the present not to eat the fruits of the future wait for your time and do what is right.”
Muhammad S. Bah president of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) stated that this training is timely and important as far the parliamentary elections is concern. Adding “we know the role of media in ensuring fair, free credible, and peaceful elections adding that I believe this National Assembly elections is another test for us.”
Nana Gray Johnson Doyen at the school of journalism and digital media (UTG) added that unless you have the ethical values in you, you cannot deliver because that will serve as guidelines and the foundation upon which you draw authority and accreditation and decorum.
