We learned on Thursday that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has decided to revisit the contents of the draft National Sports Bill, brought for validation at a workshop held this week.
It has decided to remove all the clauses making reference to licensing sports journalists in The Gambia, we understand - See our story on this development in our Local Sports page.
Apparently, this was even before we expressed our concerns about this matter in the editorial piece we published on Thursday.
Whatever the case, we feel this is a most welcomed decision by the Sports ministry in Banjul, and we want to commend the minister and his technicians for the wise move.
We also want to congratulate our colleagues engaged in sports coverage and reporting for their “most effective participation” in the review of the draft bill, which was “fruitful” since it has resulted in the Sports ministry’s decision to remove the “offending” clauses.
Yes, SJAG deserves an accolade from the GPU and all members of the media community for, as stated in the association’s web site, putting up “a strong fight” at the workshop.
We want to add that this is what validation workshops are all about; this is what the organisers expect from participants invited to such “workshops.”
Thus, we hope other groups and individuals, generally, will learn from and emulate the vigilance of SJAG members.
Once again, we say: “Bravo SJAG, continue the struggle and the good work!”
Finally, it is proper that “SJAG and GPU have been tasked to handle matters regarding the issue of the professionalism of practising sports journalists in the country...”
That is consistent with good practice; indeed best practice in line with internationally-accepted standards!
We want to reiterate that journalists in The Gambia have been calling for a self-regulatory mechanism – such as the doctors’ and legal practitioners’ councils mentioned above.
We believe that is the Way Forward, and do sincerely hope that the government will work with us to put this in place.
“Journalists have been calling for a self-regulatory mechanism ...
"We believe that is the Way Forward, and do sincerely hope
that the government will work with us to put this in place.”
The Point