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Gambian Journalists Comment on Restrictions in the Press Nicole Morgan

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Gambian Journalists Comment on Restrictions in the Press Nicole Morgan 9 Gambian Journalists Comment on Restrictions in the Press Nicole Morgan Many Gambian journalists confront constant information available to the general public. However, obstacles that make reporting the news impossible The Gambia has no such law, said Jawo. “The media for some, and limited for all. Despite the odds, some is supposed to be a partner in the development of journalists have persevered and created newspapers any country,” he said. But, perhaps the government that boldly tell the truth. disagrees. “The current president [Yahya Jammeh] has This news report is created from information not had a press conference [since his election],” Jawo gathered in summer 2000 while talking to journalists said in June. “Sometimes he will organize a meeting about the restrictions they face as professionals. Four for government press, but never for private media.” respected Gambian journalists “We can hardly ever have disclosed their thoughts get anyone in the on the craft, on their fellow government to confirm journalists, and on how they or deny rumors,” Jawo successfully run free press said. “We never have operations in a country where access to these people. the government has the right to It’s almost impossible dissolve a newspaper for any to talk to anyone.” reason, at anytime. “It’s just But while the right a case of closing your eyes to information is not to all the dangers and just provided in the law, doing your job,” said Baba punishment for libel Galleh Jallow, co-founder and is. editor-in-chief of the weekly Journalists face Independent. constant dangers of “We come here every being jailed and fined morning knowing we could be Nicole, or ‘Niko,’ became one of the most proficient for libel. And just about Mandinka speakers in the group. arrested,” Jallow said, sitting anything can be framed behind his desk with hands as libelous when the folded. “We expect the worst.” The Republic of The government provides little to no access, Jawo said. Gambia is a democracy. But Jallow, like many of his Some journalists just give up, or cover safer topics. colleagues, said that freedom of the press is a notion, There are few reporters and editors who would actually not a reality. Gambian law does allow for freedom write about the government, even if they knew their of expression. However, there are several restrictions information was true. regarding the press, making expression very difficult, “Self-censorship in this country is a big problem. Jallow said. Our journalists often choose not to write stories Newspapers need a cash bond to set up operations, because we hardly can ever get useful information,” which is a hardship for most Gambian journalists. Jawo said. “The government has the Minister of Information,” Jallow and Demba worked together on the daily said Demba Jawo, Gambia Press Union chairman. And Observer staff until things were shaken up a bit. In courts can close down newspapers under Decree 71. fact, Jallow was the editor of the Observer, but he left But the government often refuses to comment on when the paper was sold in May 1999. “I left because issues, making it virtually impossible to produce the [current] chairman of The Gambia Press Union balanced news copy, Jawo said. was sacked,” Jallow said. The United States has the Freedom of Information Jawo had a political column “that was very Act that requires government agencies to make certain critical of the government.” After threats and strong 78 79 suggestions to step down, Jawo got a termination letter. or her job without laws supporting them.” Hydara said. Shortly after, the paper was sold. He said he’s tired of the “lip service” the government It seemed as though Jawo was asking to be fired or gives rather than facts. “It’s not just about building perhaps his passion for his craft made him determined schools. It’s also about building minds,” Hydara added. to encourage all Gambians to support a true free press. Journalism is suffering in The Gambia because the best “I am not in any way afraid,” Jawo said about the students are afraid to enter the field, he said. “The right dangers involved in what he does from day to day. caliber people don’t come into journalism because Since Jallow and Demba left, the Observer is no there is so much insecurity and so little pay.” longer a private paper, and certainly does not bring to But a lack of qualified staff and freedom of light the shortcomings of the government, they said. expression are only two problems Gambian print “It may as well be a public paper because the media face. Most of the population is illiterate. owner, Amadou Samba, is a well-known Banjul, an Many do not speak English. The papers are written in acquaintance of the president, and editors are told English; however, some occasionally print articles in a what to print.” local language. Also, the papers cost more than many “That’s not a fair assessment,” said Observer Gambians can afford, about five dalasis. Five dalasis editor-in-chief, Sheriff Bojang. The Observer “has can buy a modest lunch, or two taxi rides, or two sodas. remained the flagship of Gambian journalism. They Newspaper readers in the United States can do little to cannot disagree,” Bojang said. “A lot of people say nothing with the 25 cents it costs to buy a paper. this company belongs to the president,” he said. “But So, the few Gambians who can read the news, we have been very objective.” often share a paper, which hurts circulation and sales. Bojang admits that the owner of the Observer And, because newspapers are mainly distributed in appointed an editorial advisor who only wanted to the Banjul area, only a fragment of the population has print favorable things about the government. “But they print news readily available. had to sack him. He was useless,” Bojang said. “Now, “I want the government to be publicly accountable Observer reporters have few problems reporting fair, for what they do, and I want Decree 71 appealed,” accurate journalism,” Bojang said. Hydara said. “We thought by now they would have However, Deyda Hydara, managing editor of The accepted the fact that they have a role and we have a Point, disagrees. “It’s hard for any journalist to do his role.” Apparently, they have not. Nicole with her friend Ibrahima. 80 81.
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