GPU makes a breakthrough with State House on Press Accreditation

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.

UNESCO, National Library and CLD launch series of trainings on implementation of ATI Law

Amman, 24 January 2017 – Last week the first of several trainings on the implementation of the Access to Information (ATI) Law was held at the National Library in Amman. The first 3-day training session is one of five sessions being organized jointly by UNESCO Amman Office, Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) and Department of the National Library as part of the EU funded and UNESCO implemented “Support to Media in Jordan” Project.

The trainings, taking place between January and March 2017, are targeting all 60 information officials in every government Ministry and other public bodies in Jordan, as well as several journalists and local trainers from non-governmental organizations and other bodies who will be able to carry on future training.

Gambia’s Honorary Consular to Egypt courtesy call on Minister Bojang

From L-R: Hatem Raslan & Minister Sheriff Bojang

The Gambian Honorary Consular in Egypt, Hatem Raslan on Monday 22^nd February, 2016 paid a visit to Honorable Sheriff Bojang, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure in his office at GRTS Building, MDI Road in Kanifing.

The Honorary Consular is currently in the country for an official visit to meet government with government officials as well as to discuss with top government officials on opportunities avail in Egypt in the ‘best interest’ of The Gambia.

Speaking in his office, Minister Bojang welcomes Raslan and congratulates him on his appointment to serve his country- The Gambia.

Mr. Bojang stated that The Gambia and Egypt has a long relationship and the relationship of the two countries has also been very coordinal saying that His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhagie Dr. Yahya A.J.J Jammeh has always been empathizing in his statements that Egypt has been very supportive to his government.

Minister Bojang assured the Gambia's Consular that the two countries will continue working together to promote the development agenda thus improve the socio-economic development of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia.

Access to information and independent media are essential to development

A joint statement from freedom of expression advocacy organisations.

Human development in the coming decades will depend on people’s access to information. Ground-breaking new media and technology are enabling major expansion of economic, social and political progress.

We believe that freedom of expression and access to independent media are essential to democratic and economic development. Freedom of speech and the media are means to advance human development and are ends in their own right.

Mr. WARM and Mr. CLEVER Part 2:

Emil Touray led GPU Executive

Mr. Warm, you need an advice on how to become a good leader. Mr. Warm who is going to tell you how to become a good, is Mr. Clever and he would like to have a session with you together with your lieutenants to tell your team that leadership today is very different from leadership in our parents' generation. The old "top down" style of management just doesn't work anymore. 

Gambian Journalists generally want to be fully engaged, and committed to what they're doing. They want to feel that their work matters in the media-reporting and broadcasting. And they want to believe in the people who are in charge unfortunately, Mr. Warm you fail!

Mr. Warm, you fail to build your career when you were young and now at old age what next!!! Mr. Warm resigns from your position and allows others to continue running the affairs of the union, you served under the past Presidents; Mr. Madi MK Ceesay, Ms. Ndey Tapha Sossesh and your own term- “enough is enough”

What happen to the Board of Advisers of the GPU are they not aware of what is happening at the union for three years not more that five general meetings?  

Mr. Warm, you show signs of impatience with colleagues in the GPU executive as well as the general membership.