The Gambia Press Union on Sunday launched a new body that will watch over the fulfillment of journalism ethics norms in the country.
The Media Council of The Gambia is a self-regulatory national institution that seeks to improve the Gambian media by promoting the highest professional standards.
Speaking at the launch at Djember Hotel on Sunday, Sheriff Bojang Jnr said it is time for journalists in the country to raise their game when it comes to ethics and ethical standard.
“We need to raise our game when it comes to ethics and ethical standard in the way we do business. What we don’t agree with is how do we tackle that, how do we deal with that,” he said.
Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure described the launch of the council as a milestone in the history of the Union.
He assured government’s commitment to creating friendly atmosphere for Gambian media to continue working without interference.
“As a ministry let me assure of government commitment to ensuring that we have a conducive environment where you can work and then also deliver. We want to assure you that we will work with you in this difficult journey to ensure that we do what it takes for the Gambian media to operate without restriction and to continue to work and inform the public accordingly,” he said.
He reassured that the bill will be table before the National Assembly in first weeks of January 2019, adding it couldn’t hold in this December due to circumstances at the office of the Attorney General.
Demba Ali Jawo a former information minister also described the launch of the council as significance and that it is better for the press to regulate itself than government to regulate them.
