By Mustapha Jarju
Parliamentary Reporters of The Gambia (PRAG) on Friday held a day’s training for its members at the National Assembly Auditorium in Banjul.
The training was themed Building A Strong And Credible Media Presence in Parliament to Promote Open, Accountable and Inclusive Parliament in The Gambia
It was initiated to broaden the understanding of journalists about the functions and key roles of the National Assembly.
Speaking at the opening of the daylong capacity building training, the Deputy Clerk for Legal and Procedural Matters of the National Assembly, Kalipha M.M Mbye, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Clerk of the House, saying it’s always gratifying for the legislature to be working with journalists in reporting news from the Assembly.
“This is the first kind of such training but not only training but also fostering the parliament-media relations,” he stated.
Mr. Mbye added that the Assembly will remain open to the media, adding that the relations between the media and the Parliament are cordial as both work towards ensuring that democracy and good governance are observed.
The Communications Officer of PRAG, Ndey Ceesay, expressed the belief that parliamentary reporters can do better, hence the training.
“And this is a great opportunity for media houses in The Gambia,” the PRAG communications officer stated as she recognized the open-door policy that the House adopted in its media relations.