Michael Scales Impressed By Freedom Newspaper’s Journalistic Quality and Credibility!!!!

“What does strike me as challenging and remarkable, is the continued presence of The Freedom Newspaper and its commitment to improvement and credibility. Its truth is challenging and in Western terms...somewhat unorthodox, but it takes on “all comers" to stand as a beacon for Change.”

Dear Mr. Editor,

The debate on what persists as Journalism continues to stimulate the Gambian media. The Collins “English “dictionary describes Journalism as........ “those who edit newspapers or magazines or write in them." My understanding of this, is that almost anyone can be a Journalist, but I learned a valuable lesson a few years ago, that convinced me that an experienced Journalist can often be entirely underrated. I recall writing a piece for our local newspaper here, about Africa. I was also being interviewed by the most accomplished Journalist from the same newspaper. A man who had won many National awards for his dexterity with the pen. He looked at my piece and smiled....Then he laughed unable to contain his amusement. He said, what you are saying is good...it’s just the way that you say it that is bad.....I laughed with him.

 My piece contained a full page on the West’s rich culture and Africa’s poverty and tried to express my frustration that we in the West couldn't really give a

 " toss" for the impoverished African. We simply give empty words and a few dollars of conscience money now and again.

 He took the piece and condensed it into a few chosen words of which he included ;

Africa persists from the scraps of the table's of the richer nations.............

 Wow ! I said....That’s bloody good !!! He said, I should stick to selling photocopiers...I can tell by your brand new sports car parked outside your house that you must be good at that ?Mnn I said, I get your point.....?

 I'm afraid that our British Journalist friend left me with an inferiority complex with the pen.   {Laughs loudly!!!}

 Ambassador Sey, once sent me his judgment on my pieces...He said they are like a movie. { Sorry I'm laughing again }

 Compared to the passion of Sey's pieces. mine are woeful. But of course we are different people from diverse backgrounds with a different perspective.

Mine is the world of business balance sheets and his from the interaction of African political history and progress "or the lack of it".

When I view the various Gambian online media, what comes across is the knowledge and the intuitive nature of some of the contributors. Whether it is political insight or the "nuts and bolts" of experience in The Gambia's barren political landscape. Or a cry for those who no longer have a voice to shout. Some of the articles convey an intelligence and wisdom, that reinforces the tragedy of the separatist nature of the Present Regime. Where Jammeh proclaims "we are on the ground" and we proclaim...well  Sir !  "we are on the air".

The Daily Observer sets the propaganda that everything "Jammeh" is for the best as he must be the "chosen one" beset by the power of God to deliver the people to " the Promised land ". Come what may .Nothing wrong with that, except it is brain numbingly monotone and unchallenging. I often wonder what the table conversation is like at the Mc Dowel  Gaye household  at the end of the working day ?" Well ! dear did you change the World today"? Well I did say that Journalism comes with some responsibility. That Whiteman on Freedom  Newspaper said so...... { Laugh}

What I do like is The Point and its occasional barrier challenging opinion articles that continue to tread a nervous foot into unknown territory.? One wonders when the " hand of God " will strike a note of discord with the papers editors ? The GPU deserve a medal for consistency and true grit here..?

What does strike me as challenging and remarkable, is the continued presence of The Freedom Newspaper and its commitment to improvement and credibility. Its truth is challenging and in Western terms...somewhat unorthodox, but it takes on “all comers" to stand as a beacon for Change.

I am no Journalist....sadly such high values are beyond me. I am after all a Westerner with an eye for opportunism. It is part of my nature. "A man of our times". But their is, within the on line Gambian media a feeling that certainly encourages the view that Africa can do much better and is prepared to stand for the longest time in the furtherance of its right to Freedom. If nothing else, let me stand as a witness to this strengthening view of History changing before my very eyes. Long live the written word!!! Long live Freedom!!!

  I remain Michael..U.K.