“Nothing can stop us from going through with this regulation, we will tweak it, amend it, make it better, but we are not backing down. Nobody can do any campaign to stop it.”
At the centre of the dispute is a proposed regulatory framework the minister says is designed to address gaps in a rapidly changing media landscape.
He rejected claims that stakeholders were excluded, explaining that the process follows stages, now at validation and consultation.
According to him, key stakeholders were invited but refused to attend. “They had the opportunity to come and say what they agree with or don’t agree with they didn’t come,” he said, noting the validation proceeded with those present.
Dr Ceesay stressed that the regulation is still a draft and open to change. He pointed to concerns raised over journalist registration, saying the government is already considering removing that part following feedback at validation.
“That is the purpose of validation. When people raise genuine concerns, we reconsider.”
He maintained that the regulation seeks to bring balance between traditional and online media, which currently operate under different rules despite competing in the same space. The goal, he said, is to ensure fairness, protect privacy, promote responsible content and safeguard vulnerable groups.
The minister also defended the need to regulate digital platforms, warning that an unregulated space could lead to harmful content, misinformation and abuse.
“It’s very dangerous to have an unregulated ecosystem,” he said.
The minister dismissed reports of a planned boycott by media stakeholders, warning it would only deepen divisions. “Boycotts are not the solution, urging the Gambia Press Union and others to engage instead.”
He argued that disagreement is normal in a democracy, but must be resolved through discussion. “If there’s an issue, we sit and dialogue,” he said, cautioning that a boycott of government activities could trigger consequences, including strained relations with partners linked to media advertising.
Despite the tension, Dr Ceesay insisted the door remains open for engagement. But his message was the regulation will move forward with or without its critics.
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