#Editorial

Good Morning Mr President: All should avoid hate speech as we approach 2026 elections 

Aug 4, 2025, 8:54 AM

As the December 2026 presidential elections approach, signals of hate speech have started coming up.

The Gambia being a peaceful nation practises decent democracy, thus hate speech and offensive remarks should not be tolerated.

This is the very reason the National Human Rights Commission last week organised a seminar to tackle hate speech and its consequences.

Therefore, it is essential that we all stay away from hate speech through both the conventional and social media.

Political rallies serve as crucial platforms for parties to communicate their agendas and policies to the public. When speakers focus on substantive matters, they can effectively engage voters and build trust in their party's vision. By discussing manifestos, achievements and future plans, parties can demonstrate their commitment to addressing pressing issues and improving the lives of citizens.

In contrast, relying on disparaging statements or crowd-pleasing soundbites can undermine the credibility of a party and its leaders. This approach may attract short-term applause but can ultimately damage the party's reputation and alienate potential supporters.

Mr President, speakers who prioritise policy discussions and highlight their party's progressive activities can foster a more informed and engaged electorate. By doing so, they can educate voters about their party's stance on key issues, showcase their party's accomplishments and vision for the future, build trust and credibility with potential supporters, and encourage informed decision-making among voters.

By focusing on substantive matters, political rallies can become more productive and meaningful, allowing parties to effectively communicate their agendas and build a stronger connection with the public.

Mr President, it's essential for politicians to avoid castigating their colleagues, making false allegations, and seditious statements, which could ignite instability in the country. 

Top measures should therefore be introduced to tackle or frustrate such kind of actions. 

It is vital we note that politics shouldn't divide us, that everyone has the right to support any party or leader of their choice, and that politics come and go. So let's respect everyone's choice and opinion within the confines of the law.

Good day!

The Point’s Editorial

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