GPU trained stakeholders on freedom of expression, access to information

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has recently trained stakeholders from the music industry, theatre, filmmakers and producers on freedom of expression and access to information.

The training was held over the weekend at Baobab Hotel. The workshop is part of the GPU tow-year project entitled ‘Enhancing Media Government Relations to improve the legal environment for freedom of expression in The Gambia’. The project is funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and was launched in April 2017.

The idea of the training is to encourage the artistes to build songs, theatre and films around freedom of speech. The participants are expected to be represented on the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) coalition on freedom of expression.

Lamin Jahateh, the project manager at GPU explained that GPU was founded in 1979 and since then they have been advocating for freedom of expression and access to information.  He added that The Gambia is now advocating for freedom of information, that’s why they collaborated with the creative arts to have this training.

“Our main aim is to make sure people are well inform, educate and entertain. It is indeed that went we were applying for the democratic fund; one of our components was to engage media, film makers, artistes and producers to discuss about freedom of expression. We all know that GPU role is central in term of access to information,” he said.

Sheriff Kanuteh, the secretary General of Gambia Collective Society highlighted that all Gambians have right for freedom of expression. “I am glad that the GPU is now decided to use the most effective tools to campaign freedom of expression by engaging the arts industry.”

He said everybody has a crucial role to play when it comes of campaigning for freedom of expression and issues regarding human rights.

He urges participants to take the opportunity and make best use of it, adding that they should help GPU in their fight for freedom of expression.

Hassoum Ceesay, the acting director general of national center for arts and culture stated that the media have been very lonely in the fight for freedom of speech in the country.

“It was a long time that went we said freedom of expression, we think is only for journalists to fight for it, to get it or to suffer the matter. But now, we the artistes know that we have a role to play n freedom of expression and access to information,” he pointed.

He describes the training as important, while thanked the GPU for the great gesture in involving the artistes.