Minister’s Statement Shatters Journalists’ Hopes

Minister Nana Grey Johnson

By Abdoulie Nget

After yeas of unconvincing environment for Journalists and journalism in the Gambia, journalists were hopeful that the appointment of the new information minister Nana Grey Johnson, a veteran journalist will smoothen the media environment but his words during the press freedom day were more of a caution than encouragement for journalists.

His appointment came at a time when the Gambian media is faced with marathon challenges, with three media houses (Teranga FM, The Daily News and Daily Standard) arbitrarily closed, arrests and detentions of Journalists and GPU vice president Baboucarr Ceesay, Abubacarr Sadykhan and Alagie Jobe of Daily Observer. Grey-Johnson’s appointment as a long serving writer and journalist in the Gambian media has injected new hope in the hearts of media practitioners, thinking he will make a different. Contrarily, the way and manner he delivered his statement at TANGO shattered hopes of the hall well parked with journalists, diplomats and media sympathisers.

Minister’s Statement Shatters Journalists’ Hopes

By Abdoulie Nget

After yeas of unconvincing environment for Journalists and journalism in the Gambia, journalists were hopeful that the appointment of the new information minister Nana Grey Johnson, a veteran journalist will smoothen the media environment but his words during the press freedom day were more of a caution than encouragement for journalists.

Kasa Renews Call for Baba Leigh’s Release

Dudu Kasa Jaata- Gambian Politician

Dudu Kasa Jaata, a vocal opposition in the Gambian has on Monday renewed his calls fro the Gambia government to release the detained Imam Baba Leigh after months of detention with out trial.

It could be recalled that Imam Leigh whisked away from his family since 3 December, 2012, by the plain cloths suspiciously the Gambia’s spy agency and since then his family are left in limbo as they are yet to know his whereabouts talk less of seeing him.

The out spoken politician label the Gambia’s human right record as among the worst due to what he call bad governance that the current regime is manipulating and handling the affairs of the state, adding that people are tired of witnessing bad news day-in-day-out.

Kasa Jaata- Gambia needs Political, Media Reform

Regardless of international intervention, the Gambia needs a reform in the way and manner in which politics and politicians as well as the media situation are been handled in the country, said Dudu Kasa Jaata, a vocal political activist in The Gambia.
The verbal politician made these remarks in a three paper statement reacting to the Gambia government’s refusal to accept the EU’s 17-Points Dossier earlier this year, which touched on media and political reforms amongst others.

Gambia Government Closes St. Augustine School

By Demba Kandeh and Lamin Jahateh 

The Gambia government through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has issued a directive ordering the closure of St. Augustine Senior Secondary School in Banjul as a result of an upheaval that broke out in the school on Tuesday 26th February 2013.
In a news release aired over the state TV, Gambia Radio and Television Services, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said students of St. Augustine school are asked to stay away from the school premises until such a time that the school is re-opened.

Journalists Under Pressure in the Gambia Turn to Blogs

The hostile media landscape in the Gambia, marred by aggressive laws and regulatory measures that have almost crippled mainstream outlets, has some journalists in the country turning to blogs to report the news.
Advocacy groups have long criticized the Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh for his dismal record on press freedom. A self-proclaimed healer who says he has found cures to AIDS, obesity, and erectile dysfunction, Jammeh is on the 2012 list of predators to press freedom by Reporters Without Borders.
With the emergence of social media, many observers worry that Jammeh's brutal restrictions on mainstream journalists are likely to be transferred to netizens.

PYDA holds AGM, opened a four block classroom

Chairman Demba Kujabi

The Patriotic Youth Association for development (PYDA) in Kanwally, Foni Bondali District west coast region held their third annual general meeting on February, 2nd 2013 with the theme, “Unity is Strength.”
According to the reports from the chairman Demba Kujabi, said the 2012 activity has gone successful despite facing some challenges.
“The commitment and dedication of the executive committee, and members of PYDA and other promotion activities has contributed immensely to the membership growth, which was increase to 75% from 2011-2013,” said Demba.