GPU Celebrates 8th Edition of National Journalism Awards

Author:  Pa Modou Cham

The Gambia Press Union (GPU), on Saturday, held its 8^th edition of the National Journalism Awards (NJA) to honour and celebrate courage and excellence in Gambian journalism across all types of news and information media including the print, online/multimedia platforms, radio, television, and photography.

The Gambia National Journalism Awards is the highest and most prestigious Journalism Awards in the country organised by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) as a flagship event of the annual commemoration of World Press Freedom Day. This year’s theme is ‘Breaking from the Past: Safeguarding the Principles of Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression.’

Speaking at the event, Lamin Jammeh, Minister of Information acknowledged the significant achievements by President Adama Barrow’s government in the realm of press freedom and freedom of expression. He said that in the Global Press Index of 2023, The Gambia stands among the top 45 countries out of 180 globally, securing a place in the first five in Africa.

This achievement, he added, is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the government to uphold the fundamental principles that underpin a robust and free press.

“In our pursuit of an open and transparent society, the enactment of the Access to Information Law in 2021, stands as a landmark achievement. This legislation is a clear manifestation of the government's dedication to fostering good governance, transparency, and accountability. It is not merely a legal framework but a powerful tool that empowers our citizens with the right to access information, a cornerstone of any thriving democracy,” he stated.

Muhammad S Bah, president of The Gambia Press Union expressed delight for the annual event while remembering the late Deyda Hydara, whose assassination coincided with the awards night.

Bah stated that Mr. Hydara dedicated his life to speaking truth to power and advocating for a just society, embodying the values we hold dear in journalism.

Dwelling on the progress made, Bah also acknowledged the progress made in Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression over the years, saying they commend the government for the gains made, including the enactment of the Access to Information Law in 2021.

“It is heartening to note the collaborative efforts between the government, the Ministry of Information, the Gambia Press Union, and Civil Society to ensure the law's full implementation through the establishment of an Information Commission in early 2024. This development stems from the recommendations of the Key Stakeholder Consultative Forum initiated by the Ministry of Information,” MS Bah said.