Today
is World Press Freedom Day. This Day was delivered to the world by African
journalists when they met in Windhoek, Namibia, from 29 April to 3 May 1991 in
a groundbreaking seminar on promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African
Press.
At
the end of the seminar they issued the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent
and Pluralistic Media. In 1991 the UNESCO General Conference recommended to the
UN General Assembly to adopt May 3 as World Press Freedom Day in honour of that
seminar.
The
UN eventually accepted in 1993 and declared May 3 World Press Freedom Day. Hence
on a day like today, all African journalists must feel proud for our historic
contribution to the promotion of freedom of expression and free media in the
world.
In
the Windhoek Declaration, African journalists expressed the importance of
freedom of expression as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights as well as the frantic efforts around the world, to protect this
freedom.
In
that regard they also lamented the threats and risks journalists face in doing
their work inside Africa. They therefore called on African governments to
release all jailed journalists and also allow exiled journalists to return
home. They requested African States to provide constitutional guarantees of
freedom of the press and freedom of association. The journalists noted the
importance of an independent, pluralistic and free press to the development and
maintenance of democracy and economic wellbeing.
All
the issues lamented by these African journalists during that seminar and in
their declaration have been issues confronting the Gambian media since
independence but especially since 1994.
The
APRC tyranny had consistently squeezed the independent media to ensure that it
reduces its pluralism or simply make them silent at home or cause them to flee
into exile.
Media
houses were being set on fire, while journalists were jailed, tortured and
killed with impunity. The situation of the media was so severe in the Gambia
that by 2017, Gambia has more media outlets outside of the country than inside.
What therefore are the lessons for the Gambian journalist now that we have
overthrown dictatorship and ushered in a democratic dispensation.
In
the first place, Section 207 of our constitution guarantees freedom of the
press. It went further to give the independent press the duty to hold the
Gambia Government to account on behalf of the people.
Secondly
Section 208 also places a duty on the state media to give space to divergent
and dissenting opinion of all Gambians. Our pressmen and women must therefore
know these constitutional rights and duties given them in order for them to
fulfill.
Therefore
the fundamental question our journalists must ask is how do we fulfill this
constitutional role. In answering this question, our journalist must remember
their experience under the APRC Tyranny so that all journalists stand together
and resolve never ever to allow another regime to emerge in this country that
will muzzle the press. This is why I titled this piece ‘Our Republic and its
press will rise or fall together’ which is a quote from a statement from that
great journalist Joseph Pulitzer when he won a libel case against US President
Theodore Roosevelt in 1909.
It
is indeed refreshing that the Gambia has a new government whose president has
expressed his desire to respect freedom of the media. But let us also remember
that in his first press conference junta leader Lt. Yahya Jammeh had asked
journalists to criticize them if his regime went wrong. But within few months,
we witnessed the deportation and jailing of journalists under AFPRC
Dictatorship. Therefore Gambia journalists must be sensitive to history to
ensure that it does not repeat itself.
What
will ensure that such history does not come back is when our journalists do
what Joseph Pulitzer said in 1909 about the role of the media. He said
journalists must be public-spirited with trained intelligence to know the right
and the courage to do the right. This way, journalists will preserve the public
good and democracy. But he said if journalists were cynical and demagogic they
would only create a mockery of democracy. Hence he concluded, “The power to
mould the future of the Republic will be in the hands of the journalists of
future generations.”
Therefore
let our journalists wake up and take their rightful constitutional role to hold
the Gambia Government to account in order to preserve the public good.
In
paraphrasing Pulitzer, I would tell our journalists do not serve any party but
only the people. Do not be an organ for the Coalition, UDP, PPP, PDOIS, NRP,
NCP, GPDP, GMC, GDC or APRC, but be the organ of truth.
Follow
no caucuses but your own convictions. Do not support the Barrow Administration,
but criticize it. Expose and oppose all frauds and shams wherever and whatever
they are and from whoever they come. Always advocate principles and ideas
rather than prejudices and partisanship. It is only in this way that you can
protect freedom of the press in the Gambia and ensure good governance.
Remember
the legends of Gambian journalism and what they stood for. Edward Francis
Small. William Dixon Colley. Sanna Tiks Manneh. Deyda Hydara. Baboucarr Gaye.
George Christensen. These were giants who stood up to tell truth to power and
defended press freedom. Therefore you are following in a long and glorious
tradition in a noble profession.
On
this day, let us demand that Barrow Administration transform GRTS and Gambia
Daily newspaper into true public media. Let us demand the Barrow Administration
to expunge all draconian laws that criminalize media offenses, infringe on
freedom of expression and limit free press. Let us demand a thorough
investigation and justice in all cases of arson, torture, incarceration and
killing of Gambian journalists by Yahya Jammeh. Let us demand the creation of a
freedom of information law to institutionalize transparency in the public
sector. Let us demand the Barrow Administration to provide better economic
incentives and capacity building to journalists to ensure the professional
development of independent and pluralistic media in the Gambia.
Happy
and blessed World Press Freedom Day to all Gambian Journalists!
God
Bless The Gambia.
