Elections are cornerstone of democracy, declares Point’s chief editor

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

B.Senghore, Point's Chief Editor

The editor-in-chief of The Point newspaper, Baboucarr Senghore, has underscored the significance of the forthcoming presidential, parliamentary and local government elections, stressing that elections are the cornerstone of any democracy.

He stated that the media has a vital role in informing the public about what the politicians are promising; in telling the politicians what ordinary people want, or do not want; and in ensuring that the polls are free and fair.

Senghore, who was speaking during a presentation on the “Role of editors in election coverage and reporting” at a four-day training workshop on election reporting for Gambian journalists, said yesterday that this was particularly important in countries lacking a solid background of democratic rule.

In his presentation, The Point’s chief editor opined that good journalists should also report elections in a non-partisan way, suppressing their own political views in order to allow the public to make up their minds solely on the basis of what the various candidates are offering.

According to him, one of the main problems in election reporting is corruption.

“Corruption is at the heart of poor election reporting in Africa, and a good number of journalists have fallen prey to this vice.

“As editors, we have a role to play in avoiding such problems.

Still on the role of editors in election coverage and planning, Mr Senghore went on to state that planning is essential to effective election coverage.

He said, as an editor, one should always check with the electoral commission all the details of the coming poll: registration date, start and closing day of the campaign period, election-day specifics (how the polling will be organized, among others.

In his view, elections bring politicians closer to media practitioners and, as a result, the image of the profession is profoundly tarnished with some insurmountable problems recorded.

Commenting on ethics, he said, observing the ethics of the profession is the golden rule, the success story and the kick-starter of the practice, when the canons of responsible journalism are put in motion.

“It is for this reason that professional ethics should be viewed and reviewed properly, more particularly as it stands as the formidable passage-way from common practice of journalists to their being regarded as the watchdogs of the society,” he added.

He told the gathering that the challenge of objectivity, impartiality and balance in journalism is faced daily by journalists, but there is no better test of professionalism than that faced in the heat and pressures of a bitterly fought political election, hence the need for such training of Gambian journalists in election reporting procedures.

“Journalists are, therefore, expected to be scrupulous enough to provide citizens with access to all the facts, opinions and ideas being canvassed in the election campaign,” he said, further noting that media houses should not be biased, political or opposition-minded as this can greatly affect their professionalism and the professional code of conduct.

Journalists, he went on, must resist with a will the temptation to be biased in their reporting. “The people to whom we are accountable need to be well-informed about all the issues at stake, so that they can decide for themselves,” he said, adding it is unethical for a journalist to canvass a particular political position.

For him, journalists who wish to do so would be wise to quit the profession, and run for an elective office.

He also stated in his presentation that the success or failure of a reporter in election reporting is largely dependent on some key indicators which, among others, include the state of mind of the journalist; lack of access to source of information; lack of effective communication; poor wages of journalists; editorial line of the media house; and cosmetic training in the media profession.

Ahead of November Polls, IEC task journalists to abide by ethics

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger 

Electoral Commission, Director of Communication, training and publicity

Ahead of scheduled presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in the country, the Independent Electoral Commission has urged Gambian journalists from the print and electronic media to abide by to the maximum, the standards and ethics as spelt out in the media rules on election coverage and reporting.

Joseph Colley, Director of Communication, Training and Publicity at the Commission, gave the word of caution Wednesday during his presentation on “IEC Media Guidelines on Election Coverage”.

The occasion was a four-day training workshop on election coverage and reporting for Gambian journalists, which ends today at the Gambia Press Union secretariat in Bakau.

According to him, media rules on elections were established to provide for fair access to the media by all political parties and candidates over the electoral period.

“The IEC shall, during the election campaign period, ensure that equal air time is given to each candidate and national party on the public radio and television (section 93 of the Elections Decree 1996),” Colley told journalists.

The IEC media officer, whose presentation focused on a number of pertinent issues on elections, said the Independent Electoral Commission has general powers to regulate the conduct of election.

“Special provision is also made to provide regulation on the maximum political air-time which may be used by any candidate on privately owned radio stations to reduce any advantage to a candidate with significantly more financial resources than other candidates,” he added.

However, he explained that the IEC has not deemed it necessary, at this stage, to provide financial limits on political parties advertising in the print media.

“All media outlets are reminded of the provisions of the Elections Decree, particularly sections 90-96, and the code on election campaign ethics,” he announced.

Colley went on to urge media organizations and journalists to apply the spirit of these rules and to continue to do so after the declaration of the results.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, it should be stated that private radio stations or the print media may carry out political advertisement immediately,” he stated.

Dilating further on the rules relating to public media, Colley said this section shall apply to all media organizations, radio, TV, and print, owned by the state.

“The Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that there is no undue party advantage given in the public media to the party or a candidate, who is a member of the political party in government,” he explained.

Concerning the allocation of air-time on private radio stations, the IEC official added that no private radio station, other than those approved by the IEC under section 94-95 of the Election Decree, shall carry political advertisements.

“It is not required for each station to charge the same as another station, but no station shall differentiate between candidates in its charges, discount, etc,” he pointed out.

Colley further stated that a special provision requires that no political party publication or advertisement shall be carried by the public or private media in The Gambia, following the closure of campaigning at midnight.

This, he went on, does not affect analysis, news or information concerning the elections themselves, provided such coverage is balanced, objective, and done in good faith, and that it is not in any way a continuation of campaigning.

“Special attention shall be given by all members of the public media to ensure compliance with these provisions,” he added.

Gambian journalists certificated on election reporting

Managing Blogger receiving certificate from GPU Chief at the Closing ceremony

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

 After four days of intensive classroom training on elections coverage and reporting for 23 Gambian journalists, ahead of the much-anticipated 24th November polls, the organizers gave certificates to the participants at the end of the course on Friday.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in close partnership with the Gambia Press Union and Foundation for Legal Aid, Research and Empowerment organized the workshop, which was conducted by a well-known African American journalist and writer, Herb Frazier.

The training was interactive, and journalists interviewed by this reporter at the end of the workshop, vowed to put the knowledge gained into practice, in reporting on the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, ICFJ country director Alieu Famara Sagnia said their aim was to see that Gambian journalists are well-equipped and armed before covering the elections.

He called on the participants to share the knowledge gained with their colleague, and announced that a second training course on election reporting will be organized in December of this year.

The former director of the government Information Service, reminded the journalists of the purpose of the training course, which he said is to prepare journalists and their media houses for effective election coverage and reporting.

“It is believed that in the medium to long term, this activity will contribute towards achieving the overall program objective, which is to support the media organizations in The Gambia, by building their capacity, and in this way help advance the cause of good governance and basic freedoms in the country,” he said.

Emil Touray, president of the Gambia Press Union, who chaired the closing ceremony urged his members to always put in practice what they have digested over the four-day period.

Mr. Touray added that the press union is aware of the capacity gap in the media, but was quick to add that this will soon be history, as there are many training packages for Gambian journalists in the pipeline.

He went on to call for responsible journalism, whilst commending the ICFJ for taking the bold step in building the capacity of media practitioners in this country, which he believes is a step in the right direction.

Herb Frazier the lead consultant and trainer spoke briefly at closing ceremony, and hailed the professionalism and commitment demonstrated by the course participants.

Journalists crucial to free and fair polls says veteran US Journalist

Herbs Frazier Well know African America Journalist and Author

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

Veteran African-American journalist and writer, Herb Frazier, has underscored the significant role journalists the world over play in ensuring that elections are free and fair.

Mr. Frazier is an international media consultant, a former correspondent and editor for several U.S. newspapers, including the Charleston (SC) Post and Courier, and a former Knight International Journalism Fellow.

He was the lead consultant in the just-concluded four-day training for Gambian media practitioners on election reporting, and spoke in an interview with this reporter.

“Journalists have a role to play in ensuring elections are free and fair,” he opined.

Commenting on the ICFJ training workshop on election reporting for Gambian journalists, the US-based journalist underscored its importance, noting that it is important for journalists to uphold the fundamentals of good journalism, fairness, balance, impartiality, which he added are vital in ensuring that voters have correct information before going to the polls.

A former Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan and founding president of the South Carolina Coastal Association of Black Journalists, Frazier further stated that journalists should not in any way support any political party during elections.

“Journalists should be independent, and state only the fact, representing each candidate’s position in very fair; balance; and accurate manner,” he noted.

Frazier called on Gambian journalists to maintain objectivity and professionalism as their guiding principles.

He also urged them to be focused on the fundamentals of good journalism, adding that a good journalist is one who, among others, wins the trust of the people, keeps an open mind and listens to both sides.

Frazier, who also reports and edit for many US newspapers, said he saw a bright future for Gambians journalists as they are young and committed to the profession, despite working in a difficult environment.

2011 Polls: Training Journalists in Election Reporting

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

 

Ahead of scheduled presidential, parliamentary and local government elections, over 20 journalists drawn from the print and electronic media yesterday began a four-day intensive training on election reporting.

The training, underway at the Gambia Press Union Secretariat in Bakau, is the result of a media capacity building program in The Gambia, launched in November 2010 by ICFJ with funding from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour.

Being conducted in conjunction with the Gambia Press Union, GPU, and the Foundation for Legal Aid Research and Empowerment, FLARE, the purpose of the program is to enhance the skills of journalists (reporters and editors) working in the country, as well as strengthen the associations which represent them.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Alieu F. Sagnia, country director of ICFJ-Gambia, said the purpose of the training course is to prepare journalists and their media houses for effective election coverage and reporting.

“It is believed that in the medium to long term, this activity will contribute towards achieving the overall program objective, which is to support the media organizations in the Gambia, by building their capacity, and in this way help advance the cause of good governance and basic freedoms in the country,” Sagnia stated.

He told journalists that practicing with improved skills and greater professionalism can increase their credibility, in addition to being empowered to operate effectively and efficiently in their environment.

Almami Taal, was the guest speaker, and in his keynote address underscored the importance of the training, noting that elections form part of a democratization process.

According to Taal, who is president of FLARE, democracy is not an event but a process of checks and responsibility.

“The privilege and responsibility of reporting the news goes hand in hand,” Taal said, while urging journalists to be mindful in dealing with politicians.

He also urged journalists to practice responsible journalism as elections are not child’s play, stressing that, as journalists, they must find new ways and new paradigms of trying to deliver democracy.

Bai Emil Touray, president of the Gambia Press Union reminded journalists of the pivotal role they play, especially when it comes to election reporting and coverage.

Touray urged his colleagues to be responsible in reporting elections as journalist can fuel violence or maintain peace, through their reporting.

“The Constitution of the Gambia has clearly stipulated that journalists shall hold the government accountable, as well as serve as watchdog,” he stated.

The GPU president noted that the masses cannot make proper decision if they are not properly informed by journalists.

“We must also bear in mind that election is a process; it is not only campaigning or casting votes; elections goes beyond that period. Elections start the day the central statistics bureau collects census data,” he said, adding that from such census, journalists are also expected to cover registration periods which is crucial, as many election observers believe that is the time elections are rigged.

Meanwhile, the topics to be covered by the training workshop include legal principles; electoral laws of the Gambia, IEC media guidelines for election coverage, and the role of editors in covering and reporting elections.

Gambia:Bar Association condemns Lawyer Moses Richards conviction, vow to teach Nigerian Magistrate lesson

By Gambian Correspondent - Shout-Africa.com The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) has reacted to the conviction of Lawyer Moses Richards and his sentencing to two years imprisonment by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, by calling on the Government to free Moses Richards.

Sheriff Tambadou

In a press release issued yesterday and signed by its President, Sheriff M Tambedou, the Bar condemned Richards’ conviction, which it “considers as an assault on the independence of the profession, as well as a malicious attack on the independence of the Bar.”

Below we reproduce the full text of the GBA press release verbatim:

This is a general broadcast from the Gambia Bar Association.

This Monday, the 19th day September 2011 at approximately 11 am at the Banjul Magistrates Court, Moses B. J Richards, a legal practitioner was convicted and sentenced to serve a term of 2 years with hard labour at Mile II Central State Prisons. The alleged crimes for which he was convicted were giving false information to a public servant contrary to section 114(a) of the Criminal Code and sedition contrary to Section 52(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

The prosecution, conviction and sentencing was presided over and carried out by Magistrate T. A. Alagbe.

By this appalling act the Gambia Bar Association considers the whole Gambian legal profession and the rule of law to have been tried and convicted by extension.

The Gambia Bar Association unreservedly condemns the judgment delivered by Mr Alagbe and considers it to be an assault on the independence of the profession, as well as a malicious attack on the independence of the bar.

It is a universally accepted principle of all civilized societies that an advocate must be allowed to represent his or her client without fear or favour. In this instance, the charges against Mr Richards related to a letter he had written to the Sheriff of the High Court in the course of his duties as a lawyer, and while under the direct instructions of his client.

The letter made reference to the executive branch of the government. Mr Richard’s client appeared in court and swore under oath that he did indeed instruct Mr Richards to write the said letter. These are the ‘crimes’ for which Mr Richards is being punished.

Once again, The Gambia is portrayed as a nation where the mere mention of the Office of the President is risky. The Gambia Bar Association urges the executive branch of the government to take note, while its name is used to drive a wedge between the State and the people.

This judgment is a violation of all known principles that seek to protect and safeguard the integrity of the profession, as well as uphold the human rights and dignity of the citizen.

This judgment sets a dangerous precedent that will once more smear the international reputation of The Gambia, and yet again further weakens the already failing Gambian legal system.

The Gambia Bar Association calls on the Executive branch of Government to pay heed to the Legal Sector that has recently taken a severe bludgeoning by the forces of corruption and incompetence.

There is no doubt that such a judgment would not have been delivered in any other regional Commonwealth nation, especially Nigeria the native land of Mr Alagbe.

The Gambia Bar Association decries this latest battering of the constitution and the rights of all citizens. We call on the Government of the Gambia to step in and protect its citizens …

We call on the government of The Gambia to intervene in the public degradation of the constitution…. we call on the government of the Gambia to free Moses Richards!

The Gambia Bar Association will no longer stand by while these atrocities are carried out in our country against our people by those who would not dare act in such a manner in their country of origin.

The bar hereby puts all relevant authorities on notice that the Gambia Bar Association will actively seek the institution of disciplinary action against Mr Alagbe in Nigeria, and will do the same to all other foreign lawyers that seek to visit terror and humiliation on Gambians.

We once more openly invite the Executive to dialogue in the interest of all our brothers and sisters.

Opposition parties fail to agree vote pact

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, The Managing Blogger

The country’s main opposition parties have failed to reach an alliance in their efforts to challenge the ruling APRC party, leaving them divided ahead of elections in just two months time.
Leaders from the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), National Reconciliation Party (NRP), Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP), and the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) held days of talks for the past three weeks on the possibility of fielding a single candidate against President Yahya Jammeh.

“While it is true that representatives of both parties have been engaged in talks aimed at forging an alliance, I can confess that such talks have not led to any alliance,” an opposition source, who expressed disappointment at the failure of opposition leaders to agree on terms, said.

“With the way things stands now, it is better opposition parties go into the presidential election on their own platform, because no further talks can yield any tangible outcome,” our source added.

Options discussed during the meetings included the formation of a UDP-led alliance, the holding of primaries for the supporters of all parties involved to choose a single candidate, and supporting the candidacy of a leader proposed by the NRP, sources added.

A senior opposition member, who prefers to be anonymous, told this paper yesterday that there were significant hurdles to any deal, not least selling it to the respective party followers just two months before the presidential election slated for 24th November.

“It is already too late to convince Gambians that we can do it and, even if we say we can, this could backfire by creating more confusion among Gambians, most of whom were eagerly waiting to see what the final outcome of our discussion would be,” he said.

“There may be time to complete a deal, as others still believe, but not to sell the deal. Having a deal is one thing, but selling it to the electorate is also another thing, and with just two months to go, there is no way we could do that,” he added.

The ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) has won every presidential race since 1996, and analyst say unless the opposition leaders come together under a united front, the country’s opposition will not pose any threat to Jammeh’s 17-year-rule.

While some political analysts are of the view that the November polls will bring together a fragmented opposition, others said even with less than two months to go, it is not too late for the opposition parties to bury their differences, and come together in an alliance, if the right actions and decisions are taken.

A total number of 837, 029 (Eight Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Twenty Nine) people have registered to vote in the November polls, showing a massive increase over the 670,336 registered voters for the last elections. 

Meanwhile, incumbent President Yahya Jammeh, who will be seeking a fourth term in office, has vowed not to campaign in the coming election, and promised that the elections would be free and fair.

NDEA Announces Reduction in Drugs Offences

By Bakary Samateh

The public relations officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) and the officer commanding prosecution, Assistant Superintendent Abdoulie Ceesay, has said that there is a considerable reduction in the number of drugs-related offences in the country.

This, he added, was as a result of the agency’s intensified crackdown against drug users and peddlers.

ASP Abdoulie Ceesay was speaking in an exclusive interview with this paper yesterday at the NDEA main office at

Kairaba Avenue

in the Kanifing Municipality.

Kairaba Avenue

in the Kanifing Municipality.

“Drugs and its related offences are getting reduced day by day,” he noted, adding that NDEA, as the agency mandated to fight against the menace, would continue the fight until the country is free from drugs and its related offences.

NDEA’s PRO further stated that as far as drugs-related acts are concerned, regardless of the quantity, anybody who is caught with cannabis sativa would face the full force of the law.

He pointed out that the law has made it clear to everybody that drugs are prohibited substances, noting that the law says anybody who is caught with cannabis of more than 2 kilos would be charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

“The drugs Act made it clear that it is prohibited in law, so everybody should avoid it,” the PRO declared.

He pointed out that what prevails now and before are totally different

“Before you can find a group of boys sitting in the street smoking cannabis the whole day, and nobody is there to tell them that it is prohibited in the eyes of the law; but now things are different, as most people are now aware of the NDEA crusade against drug traffickers,” he said, adding that the agency would leave no stone unturned in the fight against drugs.

ASP Ceesay further noted that the agency is always advocating that landlords must not allow any group or individual to use their compounds as a drugs-pushing centre or selling point, as this could lead to their compounds being forfeited to the state.

“I think the landlords and the general public are responding very well in that area, though there are some bad elements that are still not adhering to our calls. They are still dealing with the illegal substances,” he stated, adding that the long arm of the law would one day catch up with them, and they would face the penalty.

He said the NDEA alone cannot do it and, therefore, needs the intervention of the general public in the fight against the drugs menace and its related offences.

United States respects all religions, says senior US diplomat

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Chief Managing Blogger

Dr. Jah receives gift from Cindy Gregg

The United States of America has and will continue to respect all religious denominations, a senior United States diplomat in Banjul has told heads of Islamic institutions in the country.

Mrs Cindy Gregg, charge d’affaires at the US Embassy in Banjul, was speaking Tuesday afternoon at the American Corner where she presented, on behalf of the Embassy, Ramadan and Eid-ul Fitr gifts to the five biggest Islamic institutions in the country.

“We want to make sure that we are open to all religions, and it is also important that we honour your religion, especially in the Holy month of Ramadan,” she said, adding that this is why the Embassy gives out Ramadan and Koriteh gifts annually.

According to her, the gesture is part of the United States Embassy’s efforts in honouring Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan and the Koriteh feast.

The beneficiaries are Imam Malick Islamic Institute in Kanifing; Ummul Qura Foundation- Nurdin Isalamic School in Latrikunda; Sheikh Mass Kah Islamic Foundation School; Muslim High School; and Bilal Boarding School.

Each of the five institutions received items for their mosque or prayer grounds including two big plastic prayer mats; two medium plastic prayer mats; one loud speaker to call for prayer; two single praying mats and ten praying beads.

The US diplomat, among others, highlighted the activities and programs the embassy, especially at the America Corner, where people of all ages, including Islamic students, meet to share ideas, read and learn new things.

Dilating on the importance of education, Mrs Gregg said education is the way to the future. “It is also important to the Islamic religion,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhagie Ousman Jah, Executive Director of Islamic Centre for Harmonization of Schools of Thoughts and member of the Cadi appeals’ panel of the High Court in Banjul commended the US government through its diplomatic mission in Banjul for their foresight in donating to Islamic institutions in the country.

“Islam is all about unity and living together in harmony, and we know that the United States respects religion, through which the whole of mankind can come together as one family under one roof,” Jah noted.

According to Ousman Jah, the ceremony signifies the call for people to come together to unite themselves under one umbrella of humanity.

Alhagie Essa Jawara, proprietor of Bilal Islamic Boarding School, also commended the Embassy for the support, assuring them that the donated materials will be used wisely.

Another UTG graduate appointed magistrate

Judicial sources has confirmed to The Point the appointment of Fatou Jeng, a recent graduate of the University of the Gambia School of Law as a First Class Magistrate effective last July, bringing the number of UTG graduates appointed as magistrates to five.

Fatou was among the first law students of the University of the Gambia to be appointed 1st Class Magistrate after completing her studies earlier this year.

Sources said Magistrate Jeng has already completed her one-month induction training attachment at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court under Magistrate Foster, and has started presiding over cases at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

Confirming her appointment to this paper yesterday, Magistrate Jeng said she felt honoured to be given the chance to serve her country and contribute her quota to the development of The Gambia.

“If other countries can produce their own legal luminaries, I see no reason why we can’t,” she said, adding that as young people, they need to stand firm.

For her, being among the first batch of law students of the University of the Gambia, she would strive hard to live up to expectations.

She commended the Chief Justice of the Gambia Justice Emmanuel Agim for his efforts, noting that the Chief Justice has the development of the country’s judiciary at heart.

 “A clear testimony of this is his engaging of young Gambian graduates in the judiciary,” she added.

Jeng also commended her grandpa, whom, she described as her mentor for the support he rendered her during her studies.

Other earlier appointees were Magistrate Landing Sanneh, Magistrate Lamin Mbaye Senior, Magistrate Momodou S.M. Jallow, and Magistrate Edward Singhateh who all graduated in December 2010 from the Faculty of Law at the University of The Gambia.