Journalists speak on training at GPU

27 Jun 2013

The aftermath of the three-day intensive training at GPU [Gambia Press Union] secretariat that brought to the end the lively interactions among different media practitioners ranging from newspaper journalists, magazines, electronic media and online journalists on scintillating subject matters that were chosen by the Gambia journalists umbrella body like gender reporting, reporting on children's issues and those marginalized in the society in a more ethical and professional manner.

It was remarked by many journalists who were opportuned to be interviewed by this paper as a successful three-day gathering and below, they share with the readership of what they actually learned during this course.

Baboucar Njie, who is the Head of the Sports Department and also doubles as Operations Manager at Capital FM Radio, said the training is very important to him as it has broaden his understanding about the Overview of Women's Act, historical perspective of gender, Children's Act, the Ethics of Journalism and why it matters. He said. "I am so grateful to GPU initiating this program and hopefully such programs will continue to take place," he lamented.

Sarjo Camara Singhateh is a senior staff reporter at Foroyaa Newspaper who described the training as educative and impressive. She said that within three days participants were exposed to an overview of Women' Act and Policy and this tells how important Women are in the development process. Women should be protected and their rights should be promoted irrespective of color and race, she stated. "The Media law is a key in guiding Journalists on how they should act within the operation so that you can be prevented from libel and seditious charges.

The Media should give voice to those voiceless or marginalized groups in the society since we call ourselves watchdogs and the defenders of the law and is also in line with our cause we undertake. Media should also promote the rights of the tax-payers and then how the tax that is paid is utilized," Camara stated.

She further explained that the training also gave the participants an opportunity on how to report on children's issues and the journalism ethics that guide the journalists on how they conduct their work without fear or favour or ill will, she concluded.

The assistant producer, Gender Unit at GRTS, Mrs. Fatoumata Simaha said that "the training was fruitful and it will help us contribute immensely towards enhancing our capacities in reporting and better understanding of media law." The knowledge gained she said would be put into good use in our various departments, she expressed.

A renowned Mandinka news presenter at Star FM Radio, Nfally Fadera expressed his delight on the three day training. According to him the session has been resourceful, educative and interactive. "I can confidently say that my knowledge of thematic areas has dramatically changed and changed forever." The training would surely mould in a better way my journalism practice works, he said.

Representing the West Coast Radio at the training, Marie Jobateh, a sports reporter said that the third day of the training provides the most interactive and interesting compared to the other sessions. "In brief I believe that the able resource persons have done justice by given us all the necessary information needed in relevant issues including why Media should be a voice to the marginalized groups, Ethics on reporting, children's in the media as well as journalist ethics.

Source: allAfrica