By Musa Sarjo
A two-day capacity-building training for the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG) and the Gambia Press Union (GPU) on Media Monitoring of Ethical Violations opened on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
The participants, which includes leaders of journalists’ associations affiliated to the GPU, is meant to build the capacity of the participants especially that of the GPU and the Media Council with the requisite knowledge and skills on media monitoring, and thereby provide a foundation for the creation of a culture of accountability and transparency in the Gambian media landscape.
This activity, held from 4-5 February, 2025, forms part of activities under the EU-funded Consolidation of Democratic Dispensation in The Gambia (CODE) implemented by the International IDEA and is meant to support participatory, inclusive, and human rights-based democratic transition in The Gambia.
“It is a significant step towards promoting ethical journalism in The Gambia. Media monitoring plays a crucial role in ensuring ethical standards are upheld in journalism,” GPU Vice President, Sheriff Saidykhan, said.
In addition to this training on media monitoring, a comprehensive guide on media monitoring that focuses on ethical standards within the Gambian context will be developed. In The Gambia, where the media landscape is evolving, it is essential to establish a framework that not only identifies ethical violations but also promotes adherence to ethical values.
“The development of a media monitoring guide will enhance the implementation of the Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics for Journalists (the Code of Conduct) as it will serve as a resource for the GPU and the MCG with clear guidelines on how to effectively monitor media content for ethical violations,” Saidykhan said.
“Ultimately, the guide will empower the MCG, an independent media regulator, to promote and ensure journalists uphold ethical standards, thereby enhancing public trust in the media and contributing to a more informed society and peaceful society,” he said.
Jainaba Faye, Head of Country Office, International IDEA, said that it is important to note that monitoring ethical violations is not about stifling free speech, it is about empowering responsible speech and holding journalists and media organizations accountable.
“It is about promoting quality journalism, safeguarding vulnerable groups, and raising credible public awareness. To address issues of ethical violation within the media, media houses must first self-regulate by creating internal mechanisms to address issues of ethics and compliance,” Faye said.
“In addition, national bodies like the Gambia Press Union and the Media Council of The Gambia must serve as effective and independent watchdogs by actively monitoring media ethics, and contribute to a culture where truth is valued, misinformation is curtailed, and the media remains a pillar of democracy rather than its adversary,” she said.
Raphaël Brigandi, Deputy Head of Mission, EU Delegation, said journalism is rightfully referred to as the “4th pillar of democracy” because free and responsible media is the backbone of any democratic society.
He said journalists play a crucial role in informing the public, holding those who have public responsibilities accountable for their actions, and fostering open and constructive debates.
“There is indeed no democracy without free media, at the same time, there is also no freedom without responsibility, without duties. With the responsibility of reporting comes the need to apply high ethical professional standards that ensure accuracy, fairness, and integrity in this endeavour,” Brigandi said.
“As European Union, we take pride in making our contribution to building a culture of accountability and transparency in the Gambian media landscape. This two-day training, organised in collaboration with International IDEA, will help to equip GPU Staff and the Media Council staff with additional tools to further improve the necessary monitoring,” he said.
Assault and Battery Guide for Journalists
As part of the CODE Project, GPU and International IDEA have also developed an Assault and Battery Guide for Journalists. Five hundred (500) copies of the Guide were handed over to the GPU on Tuesday 4th February, 2025.
“It is meant to empower media professionals, and media owners and administrators to have a better knowledge and understanding of procedures for seeking legal redress on assault cases and related press freedom violations,” GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said.
The Assault and Battery Guide for Journalists establishes legal guarantees of press freedom and freedom of expression, the meaning and scope of assault and battery, the scope and application of criminal assault cases, and the role of the Justice system (the courts) and the police in assault cases, as well as alternatives to criminal prosecutions including civil suits and the use of the mechanism of the National Human Rights Commission.
The guide will be distributed to journalists and media houses.
