By THE PUBLISHER
As The Gambia celebrates fifty-third anniversary of independence from British rule, the last twenty-two years were characterized by unparalleled brutality. Seemingly, all segments of society were indiscriminately targeted for total compliance by the last regime. The media, in particular, was singled out to be meted with unconscionable retribution. The assassination of Mr. Deyda Hydara — publisher of The Point Newspaper; abduction in 2006 and subsequent murder of Chief Ebrima Manneh—a journalist at the Daily Observer; and arrest and imprisonment of numerous journalists were deliberate attempts by that regime to decapitate the free press with the ultimate goal to obliterate genuine democracy in The Gambia. Even whereas the government did not succeed in completely achieving its diabolical objectives, the National Media Commission (Amendment) Act of 2003, and the Information and Communication Act of 2013 — still in force in The Gambia — that imposed stiff penalties on media practitioners and requiring higher fees as bonds sent chilling effects on journalism in the country.
Democracy and independent journalism did not completely die in the country; however, they suffered to bare survival status. Even though the media everywhere in the world face somewhat similar challenges, woes of the press in The Gambia were compounded by the overreaching and incontinent hands of an oppressive government. Consequently, investigative journalism and reliable news gathering were severely constrained by the ironclad regime as quality reporting was, prudentially, sacrificed by the media fraternity for personal security.
As the country enters a democratic transition, The Gambia Times recognizes that the oppressive media regime and infrastructure are still intact. The Gambia still does not have a Freedom of Information Act to facilitate unfettered news gathering to inform the citizens on their fundamental rights to hold the government accountable. Indisputably, the situation in The Gambia has improved; however, the government operates as a secret society providing limited information on its activities and conducts to citizens. As authoritarian dispositions are very nebulous to fully discern in fledgling democracies, we know evidently that our country has entrenched the culture and perfected the informal and formal institutions for another dictatorship—both benign and sinister. Lately, it has started creeping its ugly head out of the woods but undetected by the unsuspecting masses. Credible and independent journalism will foster the culture of eternal vigilance for citizens to prevent the rise of another oppressive government; but even more so to sustain, in perpetuity, a sovereign democratic republic.
In any democratic country, the Fourth Estate plays a critical role in ensuring checks and balance between the three organs of government but also by providing empirical evidence for citizens to account the governors. The brutal regime succeeded in destroying institutional excellence which, ironically, the media did not escape. The bar for journalism has been lowered to the point where mere gossips, without any corroborating sources, are published as credible news scoops from government insiders or political actors. When sensationalism and yellow journalism prevail as norms, they make victims of numerous people including targets of false accusations, innocent families, scrupulous government officials, and social and political leaders. Even more injurious to society is when fabricated news stories are discredited, citizens miss on opportunities to hold leaders accountable for their actions. Instead, public attention is diverted from government accountability to questioning media credibility. As such, good governance is hindered and society loses. While some of these are problems primarily associated with the media, they undoubtedly undermine democracy, rule of law, political stability, and economic development in the country.
The Gambia Times recognizes that democracy survives on relevant and reliable information. If The Gambia is to maintain its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence in a democracy plated with liberty, freedom, and the rule of law, a vibrant and independent press that disseminate authentic news is indispensable. We will strive to report credible news by conducting investigative journalism for Gambians to be informed about their government to hold its leaders accountable, and also become informed-world citizens to enhance global justice and international peace.
The Gambia Times will provide a voice for the weak and poor by publishing stories which affect the quality of their liberty, freedom, rights, and general welfare. In addition, we will relay and catalogue the activities of state officials — not as stenographers, amplifiers, and choreographers — but as journalists, reporters, and professionals who reveal the truth. The Gambia Times will also serve as balanced source of news and information for Gambians by providing a platform for divergent political viewpoints in the Opinion, Editorial, Columnists, Op-Ed Contributors, and Letters from Readers columns. Furthermore, to serve the intellectual interest of all readers, The Gambia Times also dedicates columns for Sports enthusiasts, human interest stories in the Lifestyle and Entertainment pages; and Feature column for scholars, public policy experts, legal analysts and political commentators.
Living in the imperfect world of journalism and news gathering, particularly in an African country, The Gambia Times will strive to report the unbiased truth at all times regardless of whose interest it serves or affects. In the inevitable moments we fall short to journalistic standards and best practices, we will correct or retract our stories, issue apologies to our readers and whomever appropriate.
The Gambia Times indulges all readers to partner with us to promote democracy and good governance, intellectual clarity and honesty, transparency and accountability, rule of law and justice, political education and press freedom by facilitating our efforts to gather credible news for Gambians. Readers with news scoops could reach The Gambia Times on the “Contact Us” and anonymously on the “Confidential Tips” pages when they so desired to conceal their identities.
On this fifty-third anniversary of The Gambia’s Independence, we welcome you to The Gambia Times!!!