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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Oct 2009 : 17:42:37
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Daily News Publisher Returns
By Saikou Jammeh
Link: http://www.dailynews.gm
(The story is there but the newcomers links want a bit of work)
The Editor/Publisher of The Daily News Mr. Madi M. K. Ceesay has returned from the United Kingdom where he went for a week-long tour of various media and human right institutions, including Amnesty International, Article 19, British Union of Journalists, Digital Diplomacy Group and BBC among others.
Jointly sponsored by British Embassy in The Gambia and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Mr. Ceesay was with other senior African Journalists from eleven other African countries who were acquainted with Journalism programmes in one of the whole’s most democratic countries, the United Kingdom.
“First and foremost I am grateful to the British Embassy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for giving me this opportunity for what I described as a story to be told,” Mr. Ceesay told this reporter a day after his arrival on Saturday as he resumes work.
According to him, the visit accorded them the opportunity to make a tour of various important media and media related institutions as well as human right organisations. “I have learnt a lot from my colleagues and also the interaction with the various officials we met, ranging from Amnesty to Article 19, all of which have an added value on my professionalism as a journalist.
Asked to give an assessment of the Journalism Programmes they were exposed to in the UK, the Daily News Publisher/Editor’s story went as follows: “Well, I consider them to be one of the freest countries as far as freedom is concern. When I arrived on the 25th Friday, two days later – Sunday 27th the Labour Party was on their last party conference before they would go to polls next year. I really find it fascinating there and a proof of how free that country’s press is … in being critical about the ruling Labour Party and the leader, Gordon Brown.
He explained that the second day of the conference saw a leading newspaper called The Sun, which has been an ally of the Labour Party for the past 13 years, came up with a headline: LABOUR’S LOST IT. “You can imagine in this country (The Gambia) when a paper runs a story on the ruling Party as, APRC’S LOST IT. You will be viewed as an opposition paper”, said Mr. Ceesay.
“But the beautiful thing was that the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the following day came up with very simple and short response that was “It is not for the Newspapers to Decide who rules Britain, but the Electorates”. That shows you how free it is out there.
Coming back home, Mr. Ceesay said he wish journalists and every Gambian to have that kind of opportunity to criticise the government in power.
“Let us be availed the chance to hold the government accountable to the people as the constitution dictates. If that opportunity is given to us we will be one of the most beautiful countries if not in the world, but in Africa.
The Gambia according to Mr. Ceesay is a very small country, noting if people are giving the opportunity to hold government accountable in the freest manner, it would be a great nation.
Amid the recent political developments in the country, which have resulted in sort of a fishing expedition against journalists -a scenario that has left the whole world talking about, Mr. Ceesay was also asked about the country’s image abroad.
“The Gambia is already on the scope,” he said in response. “I hope things would change soon. Though it would take both the Gambia government and the media to change the status quo as far as freedom is concern.
“Interms of image we are not doing well. During my interactions with some relevant institutions we have visited, they have raised concern about human rights situation.
“I was with participants from other countries who are facing the same problems in their various countries. But there are others who are very free in their countries and we admired them.”
He added further: “if you can go through the Amnesty 2009 report on state of human right The Gambia it is indicated that we are still down the line.
“It is in the interest of the government that we move a step forward where we are,” Ceesay landed.
Posted By: article on Oct 05, 2009 03:14PM Category: Articles
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 05 Oct 2009 17:47:29 |
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