The
Gambia Press Union (GPU) and Ministry of Information and Communication
Infrastructure (MoICI) have begun a process for a comprehensive media sector
reforms in The Gambia.
As
an initial step for the process, a group of local and international media experts
that includes media managers, editors, regulators, academics and policymakers
has been constituted.
The
expert group, which is co-chaired by the GPU and MoICI, would hold a number of
workshops and come up with a comprehensive strategic framework that will guide
the entire media reform process in The Gambia.
The
group will today kick-off with a 3-day workshop at the Djembe Hotel. The group
will have further workshops and consultations in the coming weeks and present
the framework to stakeholders at a forum to be organised later in the month.
The
strategic framework will look into capacity building, institutional
development, and legal and policy reforms.
The
comprehensive media sector reform process is a joint initiative by the GPU,
MoICI, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the International Media
Support (IMS) and the Gambia Media Support (GAMES).
Local
Members of the experts group are:
Isha
Davies, director, Gambia Information Services
Ebrima
Njie, deputy director, Gambia Information Department
A
Representative from the Ministry of Justice
Secretary
General, Natcom UNESCO
Director
General, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
Media
Emil
Touray, President, GPU
Saikou
Jammeh, SG, GPU
Ebrima
Sillah, Director General, GRTS
Sam
Sarr, Editor, ForoyaaNewspaper
Serign
Faye, former director, Radio Gambia
Legal
Hawa
Sisay Sabally, Legal practitioner
GPU
Secretariat
Vivian
Afoah
Fatoumatta
Sisay
Absa
Samba
The
external members are Prof Kwame Karikari, renowned media expert and academic,
and Mr George Sarpong, legal expert who is also the executive secretary of the
National Media Commission of Ghana.
