 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jun 2007 : 17:18:14
|
Foroyaa Editorial:
A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
One has to strewn one’s eyes to see disabled beggars in the street. They now stand as shadows behind street vendors and would then give signal to attract the attention of those who see giving charity as a virtue or means to combat evil or enhance success. In short, it is a culture of a number of Gambians to give charity. It is not uncommon for people who seek divine intervention to solve their problems to be asked to give charity. This has made it possible for beggars to have means of survival. In the same vein, the new social animal that is becoming endangered are the journalists. Citizen FM used to employ many Gambians and provide income.
Hence, such people search for the beggars under cover so as to nourish their beliefs.
While beggars are given cover by a tolerant culture for begging, journalists however cannot find any cover to practice their profession. Just look at Citizen FM. It used to provide employment to many media practitioners and other social actors and actresses. Now, such people are scattered everywhere. If it has been operating by now its equipment would have improved and its staff would have enhanced their professionalism. As more media houses close down and more journalists find themselves in conflict with the state there is need for reflection by both government and the people.
It is important for the people to realise that a government tries to create a type of country it wants to govern by enacting laws and promoting policies that are in line with its vision.
A people also create the type of government they deserve through their votes.
It is, therefore, necessary for the current government to question what it has achieved by closing Citizen FM, Sud FM and The Independent Newspaper.
What is difficult to do in this world today is to subvert a government by waging war. Those who do so end up being classified as war lords and squeezed out of office, like Charles Taylor. What is now very easy is to subvert government through words because of the World Wide Web.
Information can no longer be suppressed. It is therefore in the best interest of countries to encourage professional journalism and allow standards to be built and maintained through self regulatory mechanisms.
However, it should be borne in mind that the people have the final say in bringing about governments which will build the type of societies they want to belong to. This is how matters stand.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue no 65/2007, 6 – 7 June 2007
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
 |
|
|
Topic Locked
