Welcome Remarks by Mr.
Modou S. Joof, President of Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG),
on the occasion of the 6th Anniversary of and 3rd
congress of the association – held at the Secretariat of The Gambia Press
Union, Fajara – Saturday 21st September, 2013 - Delivered @10am
Good Morning,
Representatives
of Government
Board
Members and Executive Committee of YJAG
Media
Chiefs
Executive
Director GPU
Representative
of GPU Executive Committee
YJAG
Members and representatives of press clubs
Distinguished
ladies and gentlemen
I welcome you all to this important event being the 6th
anniversary and 3rd congress of the Young Journalists Association of
The Gambia (YJAG).
As
you may be aware, YJAG, a charitable organisation, was founded on 16 September,
2007 by young journalists in the country who were and are still determined to
promote unity among their colleagues; to provide capacity building to enhance
the practice of journalism; to advocate for better pay and better working
conditions of young journalists; and to complement the efforts of its parent
body, the Gambia Press Union, in promoting and defending press freedom and free
expression in the country.
The
association is also tasked with the responsibility of facilitating the
recruitment of aspiring journalist into the profession.
The
annual anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect on our successes, the
challenges and to discuss ways of addressing such challenges – while today’s
congress will allow for a democratic process of electing a new leadership that
will run the affairs of YJAG for the next two years.
Since
its establishment, YJAG has contributed tremendously to the development of the
media in Gambia, especially news reportage and capacity building of members.
This
is manifested by the progress made by individual members who are holding key
decision-making positions across media platforms.
This
shows that the Gambian media especially the print is at crucial cross-roads
as the young ones are slowly taking up more responsibilities from their elders
- to inform and educate Gambians and satisfy the public’s right to know.
Distinguished
ladies and gentlemen
However,
this progress is threatened by a long standing challenge being the arbitrary
closure of media houses in the country. Hence, the theme of this august
gathering “Towards greater press freedom
and job security for young journalists in The Gambia” could not have come
at a better time.
YJAG
is seriously concerned about the closure of media houses, the job losses it
caused to the young journalists and the threat it poses to the future of
journalism in The Gambia.
Following
the closure of Taranga FM (radio), The
Daily News and The Standard newspapers in August and September 2012, many
young journalists have been without jobs for more than one year.
For
instance, at The Standard newspaper where up to 51 people were employed most of
them young journalists; only 7 have managed to secure jobs within the media
since the closure of the paper.
At
The Daily News where 14 young journalists
were employed, only one managed to secure a job since the closure of the paper
one year-on.
What
we are witnessing is that the arbitrary shutdown of media houses defeat the
purpose of press freedom, free expression, the desire to establish a more
vibrant and independent media.
And
to say that young journalists are the nursery bed for the proper germination of
the seeds of journalism in The Gambia, becomes a farce in a situation where two
or three people can walk into a newspaper or radio and ordered for a shutdown
without taking into consideration the internationally accepted three part test.
Under
the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, restrictions to free
expression are only permissible if: Provided by law, Necessary in a democratic
society, and Pursue a legitimate aim - (the three part test).
Therefore,
we will once again use this platform to reiterate our calls for the Government
of The Gambia to reopen these media houses in the interest of press freedom,
freedom of expression, the public’s right to know, job opportunities for the
young, and the establishment of a democratic society.
Distinguished
ladies and gentlemen
Since
my statement is meant to be brief as we have a lot of work ahead, including a
constitutional review, presenting of activity and financial reports and an
election…
I
want to take this opportunity to thank individuals and institutions that have
supported YJAG from 2011 to 2013, especially Mr. Lamin Manga, the Proprietor of
Unique FM, who continues to offer YJAG space at Unique FM for our executive and
general meetings; Mr Baboucarr Cham of City Limit Radio; Veteran journalist and
media consultant Mr. Cherno Jallow; DJ Pisces and the One Force Alliance; the
Taiwan Embassy in Banjul; the GPU, the YJAG Board of Advisers; Media Chiefs; GAMBEGA
Limited and all those who have supported the association since inception.
And
for those of you who are present here, I thank you for your attention. Thank
You!
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