Gambia Press Union

28/08/2026

𝐆𝐏𝐔 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥

Earlier today, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) called on the Solicitor General and his team at the Ministry of Justice to strengthen collaboration and discuss planned engagements on the safety and protection of journalists.

The meeting formed part of the GPU’s ongoing efforts under a 𝟏𝟐-𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚, implemented in partnership with IFEX (the global network promoting and defending freedom of expression).

The GPU delegation discussed plans to engage State and Police Prosecutors on the safety of journalists, particularly the role of prosecutors and other justice actors in protecting media professionals and addressing physical attacks on journalists.

The Solicitor General, Hussein Thomasi, welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry of Justice’s willingness to continue working closely with the GPU. He noted that dialogue and engagement among key stakeholders are important in strengthening the protection of journalists and promoting the rule of law.

He assured the GPU that the Ministry remains available to collaborate on initiatives aimed at advancing the safety of journalists and ensuring that matters brought before the Ministry are given the necessary attention in accordance with the law.

The meeting also opened the possibility for future collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the GPU, including engagements and training programmes for journalists, particularly on issues relating to the courts and the dispensation of justice.

Mr. Thomasi also recognized the role of the GPU in Gambia’s transitional justice programme and the consolidation of democratic gains.

The GPU President, Isatou Keita, expressed appreciation of the Ministry’s continued openness to collaboration and reaffirmed the GPU’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant institutions to create a safer environment for journalists, especially as the country moves towards the upcoming election cycle.

The engagement underscores the importance of continued dialogue and partnerships among institutions in promoting media freedom, journalists’ safety and access to justice in The Gambia.

The GPU recognizes the important role prosecutors, along with law enforcement and judicial actors, play in in protecting journalists, ensuring respect for freedom of expression, and combating impunity for crimes against media professionals.

The meeting was attended by the Director of Public Prosecutions, state counsels, the Secretary General and a programme officer of the GPU.

26/08/2026

𝐈𝐇𝐑𝐃𝐀, 𝐆𝐏𝐔 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝟐-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

On Tuesday, Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) in partnership with the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and UNICEF Gambia completed a two-day training of community radio journalists on children's rights and ethical reporting.

The training, which forms part of a broader initiative meant to strengthen the capacity of Gambian journalists to report responsibly on issues affecting children, was held from 24-25 August, 2026 at Senegambia Hotel.

It was also intended to ensure that children’s rights, dignity and voices are respected in media coverage; strengthen understanding of children's rights and the national, regional and
international legal and policy frameworks governing the promotion and protection of children's rights; enhance knowledge and practical skills on child rights-sensitive reporting, including the protection of children's privacy, dignity, participation and
best interests.

A similar training was conducted from 11-12 August for urban-based journalists from newspapers, online news platforms, and radio and television stations.

25/08/2026

21/08/2026

𝐆𝐏𝐔 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝟐-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐂𝐁𝐎𝐬) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐋𝐆𝐀𝐬)

Today, we begin an engagement with CBOs and LGAs on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Information Commission, the Media Council of The Gambia, the Post-TRRC Unit)

Participants are drawn from the North Bank, Lower River, Central River, Upper River and West Coast regions, and is being held at Moses Lodge in Jarra Soma from 21-22 August, 2026.

This activity is intended to achieve the following objectives:
• To increase awareness of the mandates, functions, and services of the ATI Commission, Media Council, and the Post-TRRC Unit among grassroots CBOs and LGAs
• To empower participants with knowledge that enables them to engage with the three governance institutions more effectively
• To provide verified, credible information that helps rural communities make informed decisions and reduce the spread of misinformation/disinformation
• To enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in the three governance institutions, and strengthen citizens' participation in governance processes

GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said enhancing public education on governance processes is essential to promote transparency, strengthen trust in institutions, and facilitate more effective governance practices.

"The widespread misinformation and disinformation about governance institutions distorts public understanding and discourse, and undermines informed decision-making," he said.

The GPU commends The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations - TANGO and Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities -GALGA' for the partnership.

We also thank the UNDP The Gambia and the European Union in The Gambia for the support which comes as part of The Gambia's Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative).

"When inaccurate information spreads unchecked, it creates false perceptions about how institutions function and their motivations, leading to confusion, polarization, and a loss of public trust," GPU Programme Officer, Juldeh Njie, said.

"Misinformation reinforces biases and misunderstandings, influencing public opinion and policy discussions, potentially resulting in policies that do not meet genuine public needs," she said.

21/08/2026

Day 4: Masembe, Lower River Region - 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Yesterday, we concluded the first phase of town hall meetings held to increase awareness among rural communities about the roles and responsibilities of the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG), the Access to Information Commission and the Post -TRRC Gambia.

Implemented by the Gambia Press Union in partnership with The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations - TANGO with support from UNDP The Gambia and the European Union in The Gambia as part of The Gambia's Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative).

Objectives:
• To increase rural communities’ awareness of the mandates, functions, and services of the ATI Commission, Media Council, and the Post-TRRC Unit
• To empower participants with knowledge that enables them to engage with the three governance institutions more effectively
• To provide verified, credible information that helps rural communities make informed decisions and reduce the spread of misinformation/disinformation
• To enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in the three governance institutions, and strengthen citizens' participation in governance processes

19/08/2026

Day 3: Town Hall Meeting in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region (LRR)

- 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (the Information Commission, the Post -TRRC Gambia, and the Media Council of The Gambia)

Organised by Gambia Press Union in collaboration with The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations - TANGO, with support from the European Union in The Gambia and UNDP The Gambia under The Gambia's Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative).

GPU Secretary General, Modou Joof, said:

""This project aims to address the limited engagement by citizens and local communities and journalists in rural and urban settings to effectively participate in governance processes to influence and guide public policy with issues directly relating to them

"Addressing these challenges necessitates coordinated efforts to increase transparency, encourage well-informed citizen participation, and fortify democratic governance through active engagement.

"This strategy aims to cultivate an informed populace, enhance accountability in governance, and promote fair societal progress."

18/08/2026

Day 2: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 in 𝐍𝐁𝐑 & 𝐋𝐑𝐑 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

We are in Farafenni for the town hall meeting on the roles and responsibilities of the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG), the Access to Information Commission, and the Post -TRRC Gambia.

Implemented by the Gambia Press Union (GPU), in partnership with The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations - TANGO, the meeting forms part of activities under The Gambia's Responsive and Accountable Democratic Transition (GREAT Initiative) supported by European Union in The Gambia and UNDP The Gambia.

Enhancing public education on governance processes is essential to promote transparency, strengthen trust in institutions, and facilitate more effective governance practices.

This project aims to address the limited engagement by citizens and local community and journalists in rural and urban settings to effectively participate in governance processes to influence and guide public policy with issues directly relating to them.

18/08/2026

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Ministry of Higher Education,Research Science and Technology