The
Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Demba Ali Jawo,
accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr Malick Jones, on Wednesday
paid a familiarisation visit to the offices of the Gambia Press Union.
Upon
arrival, the minister was given a guided tour of the Gambia Press Union
secretariat and facilities. During the meeting, the GPU President, Bai Emil
Touray, expressed delight at the visit by the delegation.
Mr
Touray gave an overview of the union’s current projects, activities and the
challenges.
He
briefed the minister on the progress made on the ongoing joint initiative by
the ministry and the GPU to conduct a comprehensive media sector reforms.
The
minister, on his part, said he was impressed with the work of the GPU.
“The
GPU now is way different. Now, you have all the facilities. I am really
impressed. You’re doing really well. There is no excuse for mediocrity in
journalism practice in the country now,” he said.
The
minister’s visit coincided with the final week of an 18-month training of
community and commercial radio broadcasters on reporting on agriculture.
The
programme was organised by the Network of Agricultural Communicators [of The
Gambia], in partnership with the Danish Food and Agriculture Journalists.
The
minister, in his pleasure, encouraged the trainees to use the opportunity to
learn as much as possible and to go out and apply the skills that they received
in the training.
“Capacity
building should be top of your priority now that the field is open. We have
about twenty radio stations and there are more licenses to consider. Already,
we have a lot of licenses for TV. The market will soon be crowded. You must be
efficient to be able to operate in the market,” Mr Jawo said.
The
meeting touched on such important issues as the imminent truth and reconciliation
commission. It was recommended that the GPU work closely with the Ministry of
Justice to sensitise journalists and to come up with a reporting guide on the
commission.
Also,
among other things discussed, are the challenges confronting the Gambia Press
Union.
Minister
Jawo, a veteran journalist and former President of the GPU, was in February
this year appointed to cabinet by President Adama Barrow. His first public
activity was the official opening of the validation workshop of the curriculum
for the GPU School of Journalism.
The
minister’s Wednesday visit came about one month after the GPU executive paid a
courtesy visit to his ministry to discuss issues around the freedom and
development of the media in The Gambia.
The
Gambia Press Union wishes to express its delight in the minister’ visit of its
complex and to the media houses in The Gambia.
