Mass media
in Gambia
Abdou Rahman Sallah
What is the
state of the mass media in the Gambia?
Having won the
struggle from the colonial administration, who put a squeeze
against journalist as anti-colonist. Some of the veterans
journalists like Edward Francis Small, Willam Charles Dixon
Colley, Findin Daily, just to name a few, have established their
identity and fought for the freedom of the press. These veterans
journalists contributed a leading vanguard in the struggle to
entrench democracy in all its form. The media outlet in their
days set themselves the task of the truth, which was said to be
too bitter and hence difficult to taste. The media continues to
searching and to throw light to individuals especially those
holding public offices, while protecting the nascent of media
and how to ensure its sustainability.
The most
significant point is the fact that the private press has
survived just as democracy has survived .the birth of more
private papers which have widened the horizon of freedom of
expression from the privilege class to the ordinary individuals,
which have deepened debate and dialogue on major issues and
government medium. Press freedom can any day collapse under the
severe weight of economic pressure (unlike other African
countries) newspapers has been launch in the country without
considerable capital.
What is the
history of the mass media in the Gambia?
The Gambia Press
Union was established on December 15, 1978, and was officially
launched at Banjul Youth Centre by group of veteran’s
journalists or pressmen.
In his inaugural
speech the chairman Mr. M.B Jones who was the founded of Gambia
Out Look newspaper, spoke of the need of the union and
cooperation with the improvement of skills of journalists.
What are some of
the problems face by Gambian journalist?
Gambian
journalist has little or no freedom of expression compared to
other countries, as they are subjected to all forms of
discrimination and harassment such as detention, torture.
Journalism in the Gambia is sacrifice and risk bearing as the
income earning is very low compared to other outside world. The
need to up keep on ethics of the profession with provision of
equipment for the challenging face them in the field of
journalism.
Do the Gambia
Media has a code of conduct or ethic of journalism?
Better engaging
in any profession as a career .is the important that the ethics
of its are best known to you .the GPU being the only body that
monitor the day to day up media operation in the country has set
a side a criteria for all media practitioners to go by .The
media has to maintain high sense of responsibility, objectively
and neutrality, setting standards in line with the professional
ethical demands. There should be no middle grand where stories
and allegations should be thoroughly investigated and manifested
seen to be so .The media need to be scourged of Bias and
prejudice to enable it perform its roles where the truth cannot
be compromised.
Q5.Do
advertisers bring undue pressure on the mass media, when it
comes to covering stories?
It is very
discouraging for free lancer cover stories that are of public
interest and were not published because of the adverts .The
Media houses should known be aware that they are denying the
citizen their rights to information .as a result ,most of the
media practitioners are now quitting from the profession ,as
they have no faith in journalism .
6……what is
the relationship between the mass media and government
Since the
establishment of press union in1978, the media could not
attained its full fledge of freedom of expression in the
country. According to the GPU president Mr. Madi Ceesay the
relationship is poor and discouraging as it is based only on
miss conception and operating in a hostile way .
ESSAY
Media plays a
very important role in any democratic country, it is seen as a
force for democratic progress. What makes it most important is
that the mass media educate, entertain and informed the public.
Every citizen has right to access information and to exercise
his/her act as bull workers against abuses of human right and
also the watchdogs of justice democracy, human rights and rules
of laws. Media often take the lead to expose any injustice and
struggles for democracy, it is obliged to monitor the
performance of government policies and put pressure on those in
power to tackle issues they deem important, while considering
the international relation ship .The Government or persons
holding public should be seen as partners in development and not
enemies.