Change Front Movement to subvent Gambia’s media fraternity, promote journalists’ welfare
Fast-rising political movement- Change Front Movement led by Sulayman Waan has laid down series of reform measures that its administration would look into including enhancing the work of journalists while promoting professionalism to the core.
Part of his- led movement’s policy is to create subvention for the media fraternity through The Gambia Press Union (GPU) to ensure journalists feel the existence of a media subvention in the country.
Waan, a journalist, also acknowledged that the media being the fourth organ in any democratic government, yet faces serious challenges that limit its growth and effectiveness in the country.
In the media policy seen by this medium, the movement observed that the Gambia’s media landscape is facing numerous challenges such as financial constraints; low professional capacity; lacked of sufficient material; political and legal pressure; weak infrastructure and technology.”
“In a nutshell, The Gambian media lacked sustainable funding making media houses to rely only on weak advertisement. Very few media houses receive donation in the country and those donations are based on request, mostly from international organizations.’’
The CF media policy also observed that low professional capacity is also affecting a great deal as many journalists lack training opportunities, leading to gaps in professionalism and specialization.
‘‘In series of instances the Gambian media has been facing political interference, and occasional intimidation. This pressure has forced several media houses to pro-government limiting accountability.”
“Since the coming of the Barrow administration in 2017, the movement said, the Gambia Press Union has been advocating for amendment of certain media draconian laws such as cybercrime law, the troubling false publication and false broadcasting laws but to no avail.”
The media policy also captured about weak Infrastructure and technology as several Gambian journalists and media houses continues to face challenges in their daily operations. “Therefore, they cannot access modern equipment, and better internet to do their work effectively.
In the policy document, the movement states “a government under our leadership will work with journalists, media chiefs, and the public to overcome these obstacles and build a vibrant, independent, and professional media sector.’’
CF Solutions for the media
“Following our research, the movement came to the reality that the Gambian media fraternity is facing severe financial constraints leading many journalists, most especially the young ones to absolute poverty. The absolute poverty in Gambian media has rendered several senior journalists to abandon the newsroom, affecting the public’s right to access to credible and timely information. “Therefore, a government under the leadership of the Change Front will come with a law that would ensure annual subvention to the media fraternity without any interference in the media houses’ editorial policies.’
It adds: “Our government will make sure the GPU Media Bargaining Agreement is implemented to the core to ensure young journalists receive lucrative monthly salaries.’’
It further states a government under Change Front leadership will work with media chiefs to ensure all reporters get adequate and consistent risk allowance, clothing allowance, transport allowance, health insurance and rental allowance.
‘‘Our led-government will make sure even interns in media houses receive good salary and allowance because we believe every reporter is at risk and must be compensated for that.’’
A CF government will introduce tax incentives for private businesses that advertise with local media and establish a media development fund to support innovation, investigative journalism, and community radios,” The CF media policy indicated.
“A CF government will work in partnership with GPU to create a National Journalism Training Programme to enhance journalists’ professionalism in the industry.These media programmes and policies would promote media financial stability and motivate more journalists to stay in the media fraternity.”
On Media Freedom
The media policy states” No doubt several Gambian journalists and media houses have faced intimidation, harassment and discrimination in this so-called New Gambia. In contrast to this, a CF government will guarantee media freedom, access to information and freedom of expression in the country.
“Our government will work closely with the GPU to amend all troubling draconian laws in the 1997 Constitution and come with provisions that would protect journalists and whistle-blowers,” it ends.
