As
The Gambia joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Press Freedom Day
2017, female journalists present at the celebration organised by the Gambia
Press Union, have called on media chiefs to stop exploiting them by not paying
or entertaining the untimely payment of salaries.
They
also called for better working conditions and a salary increment as young
Journalists are the movers and shakers of media houses in the country.
The
theme for this year’s celebration is “Critical Minds for Critical Times:
Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”
Kumba
Leigh, who works for the Gambia Daily Newspaper, said journalists face a series
of obstacles in their media houses.
“In
my case, it is very challenging and I have to adjust myself to meet the various
requirements,” she said.
She
said at her media house she is faced with many challenges and she has to go
through series of struggles; sometimes using her own financial resources to get
the job done.
She
said if one wants to be a good journalist you have to be prepared to work hard
in order to tackle the challenges ahead.
The
media chiefs should help with capacity-building for their reporters, she said,
adding that the exploitation has to stop and journalists need to have better
living conditions.
She said the government and the ministry of
information should start reforming draconian media laws as soon as possible.
Aja
Musu Bah, working for Foroyaa Newspaper, said this is the time journalists need
to focus, collaborate and have mutual understanding.
In order for the work to be easier they have
to be one, she said, adding that female Journalists need to be heard. In order
for that to happen, they need to speak up and raise their concerns, she added.
She
believes that women journalists are talented.
Rose
Zahra Gomez from the Point Newspaper said this was the time she attended World
Press Freedom Day.
She
was excited to be part of such an important occasion in the lives of
journalists, adding that the press is very important as it has contributed
immensely to the change that Gambians are enjoying today.
“It
is important for the world and Gambians to know that the working condition of
journalists is very poor,” she said.
“The
way journalists are treated by the media chiefs when it comes to salary payment
is very poor,” she added.
“The
media chiefs should change the way they treat journalists because it is the
reporters that do the job,” she stated.
Fatou
Sowe from the Daily Observer Newspaper said as the media fraternity witnessed
another year of World Press Freedom Day, they should all reflect on the
importance of the press in a democratic society.
She said press freedom is very important to
them as journalists as they used the day to take stock of the achievements and
challenges.
The
day also helps them to meet with colleagues and socialise with them since they
hardly have time for each other.
“I
want to call on the media chiefs to at least minimise the exploitation of
journalists in their various media house,” she said.
She
added “gone are the days when people believe that when you enter journalism you
should not think of money”.
“It
is true that it is a noble profession but it is equally important for a young
person to have some kind of financial benefits. I implore them to try to bring
incentives that will encourage journalists to practice the profession in better
working conditions,” she said.
The
World Press Freedom march past from Traffic Lights to the Ministry of
Information was a platform for both male and female journalists who chanted at
the top of their voices saying they want a better working conditions, salary
increments, payment on time and no exploitation of young journalists by the media chiefs.