We received the news of the dropping of the charges against our two colleagues with joy and satisfaction.
As stated in this and other columns of this paper, cementing the relations between the media and the government is in the best interest of both the government and the media.
While welcoming the news of the dropping of charges against Aboubacarr Saidykhan and Baboucarr Ceesay, we called on the authorities to also reopen Taranga FM radio, and to give the greenlight for the Daily News and The Standard newspapers to resume publication.
Such moves would, no doubt, boost the relations between the media and the government, and would also open a new chapter in that regard.
In fact, when relations between the two are smooth, it would be in the interest of all Gambians. Arresting, detaining and prosecuting journalists would not help the country as it cannot take us any where.
Instead, it would give a bad impression about the country and the leadership.
Negative news about The Gambia is always a concern to all genuine citizens, including those in the media and, as such, we must be seen as partners in development.
However, in as much as we would have loved to keep reporting on country’s good news, if the negative news also breaks out we must report it as it happens.
The role of the media is to report news and other things happening in and around the country and in this way the media contributes to nation-building.
In doing so, some people in authority may feel offended by our reporting, but we are doing our job which is not about pleasing anyone, but to report the facts.
Media is very much important in any country, and cannot be disregard by any government in the world.
A free press is a catalyst for the success of any genuine democracy!
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