The
Gambia Press Union (GPU) at the weekend organised a three-day election
reporting workshop for 20 community radio broadcasters.
Funded
by the Washington DC-based International Republican Institute, the workshop was
held at Baobab Hotel, Bijilo.
It
was part of union’s mandate to raise the competency of reporters for pre,
during and post-electoral events reportage.
Veteran
broadcast journalist Malik Jones in his keynote statement at the opening of the
event said the media plays a vital role in elections.
Jones,
who is also the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information,
added: “This workshop is a great opportunity for you to learn important aspects
of the electoral process. It aims to strengthen your capacity in reporting
accurately on issues pertaining to the elections.”
Jones
applauded the GPU and the International Republic Institute for putting
professional development of journalists at the very top of their agenda.
GPU
secretary-general Saikou Jammeh said the workshop was aimed at building the
capacities and competencies of community radio broadcasters to be able to
report effectively on elections.
“This
is timely as the country heads to the polls on December 1 for presidential
election which will shortly be followed by National Assembly and local
government elections respectively,” he said.
Jammeh
said the GPU expected those trained to go back and share their experiences with
their colleagues, and as well utilise the skills gained by adequately informing
the voting public on the importance of elections, its processes and procedures.
“We,
more importantly, want them to give voice to the voters during this crucial
period,” he said.
The
journalists who attended the three-day workshop were taken through the media
guidelines on election reporting, ethical and legal considerations in election
reporting, conflict sensitive journalism, among others.
