Sukuta Junior, Senior School Press Club visits The Point

The visit was part of their ongoing educational visits to various media outlets in the country.

Addressing the young would-be journalists, Baba Hydara, co-publisher of The Point newspaper, applauded the students for the visit, recalling that journalism in the Gambia started at a very low key with little payments.

Hydara noted that this was at a time when most people in the field were doing it out of passion.

"This was at a time when it was not advisable for one to do due to the risks involved."

He, however, noted that growing up as student one needs to know what he/she wants to be in the future.

Hydara equally lamented some of the challenges encountered in the field particularly during the days of former dictator, Yahya Jammeh, where many journalists were arrested, forced into exiled, detained and tortured, with others losing their lives.

Despite these challenges, he stated that others weathered the storm and continued because of the passion they have for the profession. 

For his part, Bekai Njie, Editor-in-Chief of The Point, challenged young would-be journalists to inculcate the culture of reading, saying this would help them widen their knowledge as they aspire to become bright future journalists or writers.

He shared that generations differ, recalling the time he and other colleagues started journalism.

"There were no smart phones where one could easily access information. Our ambition for journalism could only be realised if we have the passion for it."

Momodou Jawo, a senior reporter with The Point, encouraged students to pursue their dreams as future writers with total focus, commitment and confidence.

Jawo reminded the young journalists that in order to be good journalists, they need to read as much as possible and practice writing.

He also urged them to familiarise themselves with basic ethics in journalism, adding that for reporters to file their write-ups for publication, they need to ensure that the article is accurate, balanced and neutral.