The new executive of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) yesterday paid a courtesy call to the management of The Point newspaper in Bakau as part of their ongoing familiarization tour of media institutions and partners.
Speaking at the meeting, Bekai Njie 1st vice president of YJAG, recalled some of the activities the association had carried out over the years.
According to him, it is a tradition for the association whenever they have a new executive, to visit their partners.
He acknowledged the support the association has received from The Point newspaper since its establishment in 2007.
Lamin Jahateh, secretary general of YJAG, said the visit was not only meant to familiarize themselves with the partners but to also discuss vital issues relating to the plight of young journalists.
“We also want to seek the support of media chiefs to implement our action plan of the year,” he said.
Responding to the new YJAG executive, Pap Saine, Managing Director of The Point newspaper, commended the association for the visit, saying it is the duty of media chiefs to look after the welfare of their staff irrespective of their ages.
“This is why, I appointed Baboucarr Senghore and Nfamara Jawneh as editor-in-chief and deputy editor-in-chief of The Point,” he said. “I believe as young journalists you should be committed and dedicated to the profession, then you will see the reward of your labour.”
According to The Point boss, despite their constraints as a business they are trying to do their best to overcome the challenges of the times to give equal opportunities to all their staff.
Mr Saine advised young journalists to work hand in glove with the Gambia Press Union, as well as the authorities to achieve their goals.
He also calls on them to meet with the Minister of Information Communication and Infrastructure to appeal to them to create a Faculty of Journalism at the
“Gambian journalists should be commended, especially for the fact that despite there is no school of journalism in the country, they are still doing their best to meet international standard in journalism,” said The Point boss.
He also advised them to not focus too much on the monetary aspect of the profession since they are trying to develop themselves; rather they should be dedicated and committed to learning and practising the job.
The veteran journalist urged the young journalists to always cross check the facts of their stories before submission for publication.
He told the YJAG executive to be time conscious, read well and be respectful to authority. “Verifying your stories is very much essential,” he avers.
He assured the association of his continued support while wishing the new executive a successful term.
Babucarr Senghore, editor-in-chief of The Point newspaper, expressed sentiments similar to Pap Saine’s, while calling on journalists to be focused, committed, dedicated to duty, honest, and respectful to authorities.
For his part, Nfamara Jawneh, deputy editor-in-chief of The Point, said despite its challenges The Point gives the best remuneration to its staff in the country’s media industry.
Mr Jawneh, YJAG founder president, emphasised the need for unity and understanding among members of the association. Unity is strength, he stressed, adding: “Young journalists in the country are the force behind the success and growth of the Gambian media.”
Mariam Saine, 2nd vice-president of YJAG, while giving the vote of thanks, commended the management of The Point for receiving them with honour, as did the association’s president, Modou S. Joof.
