Significance of Pap Saine's Honour

The honour bestowed on Pap Saine by the International Press Institute (IPI) is of great significance. This gesture undoubtedly transcends the recognition of just one individual; instead, it is a vote of confidence in the resilience of Gambian journalists.

The International Press Institute has honoured Mr Saine and 59 others across the world with the distinguished "World Press Freedom Heroes" award in recognition of his courage and dedication to the principles of freedom of opinion and expression.

Alongside his job as co-publisher and Managing Editor of The Point newspaper, Pap Saine works as the Dean of Reuters correspondents for West and Central Africa.

Mr Saine worked at Radio Syd, the Senegambia Sun newspaper, and co-founded The Point newspaper with the late Deyda Hydara and the late Baboucarr Gaye in 1991.

He has a passion for sports journalism, in which he has distinguished himself, and is considered a national authority and expert.

Over the years, he has served as a press officer for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), headed the Gambia Sports Journalists Association, and played a pivotal role in attracting bright young minds into journalism, most of whom have been enriched by his guidance based on his wealth of experience.

It is in this respect that we affirm that the International Press Institute honour is a celebration of excellence in Gambian journalism.

Despite the ordeals that he faced in his journalism career, Mr Saine has stood out firmly as a pillar of strength in turbulent times.

His journalism career is an inspiration to practising as well as aspiring Gambian journalists in many respects. He has shown that success in journalism demands perseverance and dedication. For over 40 long years, Mr Saine has been reporting and is still reporting, and has not shown any sign of quitting in the near future.

This is a lesson to the younger generation of journalists who are called upon to be dedicated, loyal to the profession and be prepared to put in long years into the practice of this noble profession, if they are to make any headway.

Indeed, Saine has demonstrated that there is something called loyalty. With the IPI accolade, up and coming journalists will have to learn that it pays to be loyal.

The IPI accolade has pointed up the fact that Gambian journalism is of world-class standard, and deserves respect and recognition.

We rejoice with Mr Saine on his award as one of the IPI’s 60 World Press Freedom Heroes.

Congrats Pap!

"I don't fly any awards at the house. Any award you get is usually for something you've done in the past. And I like to keep looking forward."

Garth Brooks