YJAG elects new executive committee

New YJAG Executive Committee

[The North Bank Evening Standard]

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) on Saturday elected a new executive committee, headed by Mr Modou S. Joof, news editor of The Voice newspaper, to steer the affairs of the association until 2014.

This decision followed the end of a two-year stint of the former executive committee, which was headed by Mr Assan Sallah, news editor at the Daily Observer newspaper, whose two-year term ended on September 16, 2011.

The 4^th Anniversary and 2^nd Congress of YJAG was held at the Kanifing Municipal Council Multipurpose Complex, Jimpex Road, Kanifing, under the theme “The Role of Journalists in Elections” with training on “Election Reporting for YJAG Members” intended to give the participants a better understanding of their position and responsibilities in election reportage.  

During celebrations marking the anniversary and biennial congress of YJAG, the General Assembly on Saturday October 22, 2011 elected amongst themselves some YJAG members to represent them in the following positions:

President - Mr. Modou S. Joof (The Voice newspaper)

1^st Vice President - Mr. Bakai Njie (Daily Observer newspaper)

2^nd Vice President - Ms Mariam Saine (Today newspaper)

Secretary General - Mr. Lamin Jahateh (Market Place Business Magazine)

Assistant Secretary General – Mr. Amadou Wuyeh Manga (Unique FM radio)

Treasurer - Mr. Sulayman Ceesay (The Voice newspaper)

Public Relations Officer – Ms Fatou Jallow (Daily Observer newspaper)

Auditor – Mr. Omar Wally (Daily Observer)

All positions went unopposed except for that of the Public Relations Officer (PRO), with Fatou Jallow winning Amat Jeng of the Market Place Business Magazine 12 votes to eight. Twenty three (23) paid-up members were eligible to vote, one disqualified and two others absent.                 

The committee will decide at its meeting the nomination of three co-opted members.

The election process was supervised by Mr. Bai Emil Touray, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and Board Member of YJAG, and Mr. Pa Modou Faal, national coordinator of African Malaria Media Research Network (AMMREN) - The Gambia and former GPU Treasurer.

Mr Modou S. Joof, YJAG President

Acceptance

In his acceptance statement, the new YJAG President, Mr Joof said he was honoured by the trust and confidence bestowed onto him by the General Assembly to lead the association for a two-year stint.

He the election of the new committee is a matter of continuity as they would work to fill the loopholes that has been left by the previous executive committees, who he said have done a very good job for the association.

Mr. Joof, a former Assistant Secretary General of YJAG, crave for the continued support by the general membership in order to better address the welfare of young journalists in the country.

He said they will endeavour to uphold the aims and objectives of YJAG, which includes promoting freedom of expression as a compliment to the Gambia Press Union’s efforts towards the attainment of a free press and free expression in The Gambia.

Aims/Objectives of YJAG

YJAG aspire to foster unity and mutual understanding among the young media practitioners in The Gambia; Promote the wellbeing of young journalists in the country; Address common issues of concern to young journalist; Promote freedom of expression in The Gambia; Build the capacities of young journalists; Foster excellent media-government relationship for mutual benefit; Foster collaboration between young journalists in The Gambia and our counterparts outside the country; and Holding various media houses in the country accountable of their responsibilities towards young journalists, especially freelancers, considering the crucial role they play.

Established on 16^th September 2007, YJAG operates under the motto “Capacity Building, Duty to Inform.” It is made up of a structure of an 11 member executive committee, comprising of a President, 2 Vice Presidents, 2 Secretaries, a Treasurer, a Public Relations Officer, an Auditor, and three co-opted members.

The Association is also served by a 9 member board of advisers with the President of Gambia Press Union and the Minister of Information being permanent members, others include lawyers, publishers, editors, and human rights activists.