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Momodou
Denmark
11737 Posts |
 Posted - 05 May 2010 : 14:39:23
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Government Graces GPU’s Occasion
By: Saikou Jammeh
In a rare move, the Gambia government has joined the media fraternity in observing this year’s World Press Freedom day held at Alliance Franco Gambienne along Kairaba Avenue on Monday 3rd May 2010.
The Gambia media have long decried Government’s unimpressive response to their reconciliation bid, but this year’s occasion witnessed the full participation of the information ministry, represented by the deputy permanent secretary.
The theme for last year’s press freedom day was "reconciliation" [between government and media] but ended in deadlock as none of the government invitees, including those expected to make presentations, turned-up.
However, even journalists from the state-own media, who seldom graced the occasion despite being members of the press union, were well represented this year.
Two National Assembly members too were present, and have expressed delight being at the event. Hon. Babanding Daffeh said they were not invited but he was told that the Assembly was invited, but turned down the invitation.
Many commentators hailed government’s move, and some expressed hope that their attendance may smoothen relations between the two.
"May be as a result of this dialogue we will have something important for the development of the country. GPU represents journalists in the Gambiaand government should be interested in such developments," said Sam Sarr, managing editor of the Foroyaa newspaper.
The deputy permanent secretary in her statement said The Gambia has seen the proliferation of media houses, which is a testimony of her government’s commitment to pluralistic media.
Since the advent of the second republic, the relationship between the government and the media has been sour.
Government has over the years resorted to numerous tactics to muzzle the private independent press, which range from enactment of oppressive laws to suppression of official information.
Journalists in The Gambia have also suffered much harassment, including killings, disappearances, exiles, detention, and imprisonments and burning of media houses, all of which government is said to have investigated, but are yet to apprehend any culprits.
As a result government is listed among the world’s most media unfriendly countries.
However, if the words of the deputy permanent secretary are anything to go by, this situation may soon change.
"My attendance here is a testimony that we are willing to work together. My minister is committed to working with The Gambia media," she told this reporter on the sidelines.
Hon. Babanding Daffeh challenged the press union to introduce private member bill into the National Assembly to address, among others, the challenge of accessing official information.
Source: Dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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