Banjul , The Gambia

The president of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG), Mr. Nfamara Jawneh, has challenged media chiefs and Gambia Press Union GPU to critically look into ways and means of improving the conditions of journalists in the country. Mr.Jawneh made these remarks recently at the fifth triennial congress of GPU held at the Presidents Awards Scheme in Bakau. According to the YJAG leader, there are a lot of challenges confronting journalists even within there own work places. He advised the new executive of the union to always visit various media houses to gain first hand information on some of problems being faced by their members such as unlawful sacking among other issues.

Mr. Jawneh reminded the GPU that one fundamental objective of the union is to promote and protect the welfare of all journalists in the country and that they should do this irrespective of their media house or individual status, that is, without any discrimination. Jawneh further advised the union to put in place a mechanism to address the issue of members failing to attend meetings regularly such as fines.

Mr. Abdoulie John, Editor with Daily Observer, and Habibou Ceesay, reporter with Today Newspaper, expressed similar sentiments.

For Mr. Ebrima Jaw Manneh, Deputy-editor-in-chief Daily Observer, young reporters are the backbone of media outlets in the country and therefore promoting their welfare is necessary.