Gambia Press Union

08/09/2025

“Journalism must be recognised as an agent of resilience, not merely a mirror reflecting catastrophe, but a force that can inform early warning systems, expose inequities in climate finance, and drive inclusive policy responses.”

- GPU President, Isatou Keita, speaking at a high-level panel on “Aligning Media & Policy Messages for ACS2 & Shaping Africa’s Common Position for COP30”

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08/09/2025

It's a positive DOUBLE WHAMMY!!

We are excited to share that our Communications Officer, Lamin B Barra, is off to Beijing, China for a two-week seminar on Film Production and Marketing.

This opportunity, facilitated by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and sponsored by the Government of China through the Chinese Embassy in Banjul, brings together participants from The Gambia and beyond for an enriching international training experience.

Mr. Barra joins other participants from The Gambia and beyond in this important international platform.

We also celebrate our brilliant Banna Sabally, MAJaC Journalism trainer and Secretary General of the Women Journalists Association, who is also part of the delegation.

We are cheering both Lamin and Banna on as they fly the Gambian flag high on this global stage. Wishing them safe travels and an unforgettable learning experience.

We look forward to learning from both of you.

08/09/2025

Five Gambia Press Union (GPU) members have left Banjul for a two-week seminar on film production and marketing for Belt and Road countries, taking place in Beijing, China.

GPU Vice President Sheriff Saidykhan was at the airport to see the team off.

The seminar is organised by the Research and Training Institute of the National Radio and Television Association, with support from the Chinese Embassy in Banjul.

The GPU said it looks forward to the knowledge and skills the team will bring back to strengthen The Gambia's media and film industry.

Photo: GPU

08/09/2025

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is backing its pan-African organisation, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), as FAJ co-convenes a pre-summit forum on September 6-7, 2025, in Addis Ababa with the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Securi...

08/09/2025

UPDATED:

Today (8 Sept. 2025), we bid farewell to five of our members who departed Banjul for a two-week seminar in Beijing, China on "film production and marketing" for Belt and Road countries.

GPU Vice President, Sheriff Saidykhan, who was at the airport to see the team off, said that "this is a good opportunity for our members to gain new knowledge and skills in China, one of the world's most technologically-advanced countries."

The seminar, organised by the Research and Training Institute of the National Radio and Television Association, comes through support from the Chinese Embassy in Banjul to the Union.

"We wish our members a successful training and look forward to the knowledge and skills they will bring back to strengthen the media and film industry in The Gambia," Saidykhan said on Monday.

"As a Union, we appreciate such opportunities accorded to our members as part of an extension of bilateral relations with the Government of The Gambia and therefore thank the Embassy in Banjul for facilitating their participation," GPU Secretary General, Modou Joof said.

"This exposure will benefit not only the participants in terms of gaining new knowledge and skills which they will utilise in their work, but are also expected to share such knowledge and skills with colleagues back home either through the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication - MAJaC or in GPU-organised training or mentorship programmes," Joof said.

The beneficieries of this opportunity are as follows:

1. Saffiatou Colley, Progranmme Officer, Gender & Welfare & Communications, GPU
2. Banna Sabally, Secretary General, Women Journalist Association of The Gambia and a Radio Production & Podcasting Trainer at MAJaC
3. Paul Steven Prierra, Producer and Editor at Star TV and GPU Board Member
4. Mariama Bojang, Gambia Football Federation Communications and GPU Board Member
5. Lamin B. Barra, Communications Officer, Digital Media Trainer and an assistant on Film and Photography Training at MAJaC

- Updated with quotes and list of beneficiaries

08/09/2025

African journalists have been called upon to place their profession at the heart of the continent’s climate, peace, and security agenda as Africa prepares to present its Common African Position at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. The directive emerged from a high-level pre-forum held in Addis A...

07/09/2025

The GPU President, Isatou Keita, took part in a high-level panel discussion on “Aligning Media and Policy Messages for ACS2 and Shaping Africa’s Common Position for COP30.” This is part of the Pre-Summit Forum of the 2nd Africa Climate Summit convened by the AU Commission and the Federation of African Journalists, with support from Oxfam and GIZ.

She underscored the vital role of the media in translating complex climate policies into relatable stories, amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities, and bridging the gap between citizens and policymakers.
“If citizens do not understand, negotiations risk falling flat. But if the people stand with us, Africa will go to COP30 stronger, united, and ready to demand justice.” Isatou Keita

The GPU President also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between policymakers and journalists, better access to reliable data, and capacity-building programs for African media. She concluded by stressing that aligning media and policy is central to ensuring Africa presents a united, people-driven position at COP30.

06/09/2025

TEAM GAMBIA AT CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION INTEGRITY IN WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL

Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa & the Sahel held in Praia, Cabo Verde, closed with validation of the following:

The Regional Conference should lead to the adoption of the following:
• a model policy on information integrity;
• a Basic framework for effective governance of digital platforms in West Africa and the Sahel; and
• an Action plan on information integrity in West Africa and the Sahel.

On Firday, Sept. 5, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, minister, Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services - The Gambia sat on closing panel on "Operationalising transformative interventions for information integrity in West Africa and the Sahel- priority actions and financing models for sustainable impact".

Dr. Ceesay spoke on various financing models including tapping on big tech companies which enjoy a huge market in West Africa and the Sahel, governments infrastructure and development partners - as part of a multifaceted financing model.

Dr. Ceesay also presented a report of the outcome of the Ministerial Track on the adoption of the Model Policy on Information Integrity and follow-up action points.

Following the opening ceremony and the plenary sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 3, various side events on various topics related to information integrity were held.

Gambia's Fatou Jagne Senghore, a freedom of expression expert, sat on a panel "Regulating Disinformation in the digital and AI age: Chellenges and Perspectives." Fatou Jagne also supported consultations for the development of the action plan on information integrity.

On Thursday, Sept 4 the Gambian delegation participated in various plenary sessions which discussed harmonising policy frameworks; nurturing social trust and safeguarding in information integrity in crisis, elections; governance of digital platforms; inclusive access to information and public interest data; and Strengthening multistakeholder synergies and engagement for information integrity.

On Friday, Sept. 5 the high level segment was held with Gambia's minister of information participating in the Ministerial Track which reviewed a draft model policy for information integrity in West Africa and the Sahel and served as its rapporteur.

Gambia's Information Commission Chair, Neneh MacDouall and Commissioner Bai Emil Touray, participated in the Information & Electoral Commissioners Track which discussed actions for improving inclusive access to information and public interest data. Neneh MacDouall was also one of the rapporteurs of the event.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Cordu Jabang; the director of information services, Aisha Davies-Ann, the principal information officer at department of information services, Madiba Sillah; and the GPU secretariat general, Modou Joof, participated in the Stakeholders Track which reviewed recommendations and proposals of key actions by the conference.

While contributing to the discussion, Joof recommended that it would be best for interventions related to fact-checking to incorporate already established fact-checking platforms nationally and the big platforms that operate across various countries.

Note: comments attributed to the minister of information are paraphrased.

06/09/2025

06/09/2025

The GPU President is currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the Pre-Summit Forum of the 2nd Africa Climate Summit, joining trade union leaders, policymakers, and activists to discuss the role of the media as a catalyst for Africa’s climate, peace, and security agenda.

The event organised by the AU Commission (PAPS) and the Federation of African Journalists, with support from and GIZ, highlights the power of trusted information in tackling misinformation, supporting conflict-sensitive climate action, and strengthening governance.

The GPU President will tomorrow be part of a panel on “Aligning Media and Policy Messages for ACS2 and Shaping Africa’s Common Position for COP30.”

05/09/2025

Because it’s 10 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, we’re coming different!

For the 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 2025
we’re accepting entries published between
1𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2024 – 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙮 2025.

Submit your best work here: https://www.gpuawards.gm/submit-entry/

04/09/2025