The
Gambia Press Union and its partners organised a symposium and public lectures
as part of the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, held at the
Faculty of Law University of The Gambia, under the theme: “Critical minds for
Critical Times”.
Speaking
at the symposium, Lars Moller, from The Gambia Media Support (GAMES), said that
every year World Press Freedom Day is observed but this the first time The
Gambia Press Union and The Gambia is marking the day.
He
added that there is a difficult task ahead in the new chapter of The Gambia.
Suleiman
Braimah, from Media Foundation in West Africa (MFWA), who is from Ghana, said
journalists across West Africa are experiencing a challenge even after almost
two decades of democratization and the liberalization of the media environment
and that now that we are beginning to see some of the gains that have been
made.
Mr
Braimah stated that in Nigeria, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire there were incidents of
attacks on journalists, arrests, detention, and so on.
“We
need critical minds to build a society that is inclusive, just and peaceful and
as journalists we have to prove to the citizenry, government and to the
authorities why we have always said that press freedom matters.
“It
is important and we can demonstrate that by being professional in what we do
and by being the watchdogs and agenda setters that we have to be we can make
this point,” he said.
The
EU Ambassador, H.E. Attila Lajos, said the media business is being shaken to
the core by the rise of digital and social media and that the media should not
only be a source of information but also a platform for a multitude of voices
in mobilizing tolerance and dialogue.
The
Minister of Information, Communications and Infrastructure, Demba A. Jawo,
reiterated that the journalists should not be left behind and that the reform
of media laws is among the top priorities of the new government.
“We
in this country have been quite lucky that journalists and media practitioners
have always exercised responsibility in their handling of national issues and
we will depend on you to play your part in the national reconciliation,” he
said.
Minister
Jawo stated that one of the objectives of World Press Freedom Day is for
journalists to reflect on their achievements and challenges but with the new
Gambia the media is now given a more robust role to play in consolidating that
change.
Nana
Grey Johnson, the dean of journalism and digital media, at the University of
The Gambia, said that the “Nana Law remains the worst against press freedom and
freedom of expression in The Gambia”.
He
advised journalists to be out in the field and bring critical stories that are
affecting the lives of individuals rather than following ministers and writing
about the theoretical.
He
warned journalists: “If you cannot do the work of a journalist you better try
something else.”
Gibairu
Janneh, former Secretary General of the GPU, also gave an impressive lecture
and answered some questions from the members of the press.
