A delegation of the
Gambia Press Union (GPU), led by the President Sheriff Bojang Jr, Monday
morning held a meeting with the Director of Press and Public Relations at the
State House on the new press accreditation policy.
The meeting was
convened following the Union's disagreement with the new policy which requires
journalists to undergo security screening by the National Intelligence Agency
(NIA) for accreditation to cover the presidency. The measure was to come
into effect on Monday, 1st April.
However, at the
meeting this morning, DPPR Amie Bojang-Sissosho said following a discussion
with the GPU President and Secretary General and consultation with her State
House colleagues, her office came to the conclusion that the screening of
journalists by NIA would not go ahead.
She however said the
NIA screening requirement has been misconstrued as a restriction and an
intimidation of the press.
“The policy was
developed with goodwill and its only objective was to get to know the people
covering the presidency because it is a sensitive office,” she said.
