Freedom Newspaper Clocks Three Years Today!!!

…Gambians Assess The Paper’s Track Record!!

By Staff Writer Charles Williams, Banjul

As the Freedom Newspaper celebrates its three years anniversary, this reporter gauged the opinions of Gambians on the style and editorial stance of the paper since it inception. Gambians have spoken!!!

Ousman Sanneh,a civil servant, working at the Department of Treasury in Banjul, said that he found the paper to be very educative, as well as informative.Sanneh suggested that the paper should improve more on balance reporting of its news items, adding that balance reporting is a cardinal principles in the profession.Sanneh advised that personal attacks on people has no place in journalism. “Journalists are not out to harm or damage the image of those they are serving"Said Sanneh.In his opinion the paper has a long way to go as he has never seen the paper's reporters attending coverages on both local and international activities.

Joseph Gomez, an internet cafe operator, added his voice by saying that the paper should raise issues that will promote the well being of Gambian people. Gomez said good governance should be advised and suggestion of limited use of government properties should also be in the wagon. He urged the management of the paper not to only stick to criticism, but to suggest constructively, which can bring solutions to issues.

In his opinion the nature of the people always determine the type of government in place. He therefore challenged the management of the paper to desist from tarnishing images of their own brothers,sisiters and cousins. Gomez pointed out that constructive criticism can make impact in changing the lives of the people the paper is serving.He said  the Freedomnewspaper is only reporting the negative part of the government,adding that it’s against a handful of people who are their own brothers and sisiters.He said that the paper reports are always described as very ego, sentimental and selfishness. He said to avoid such; he advised the management of Freedomnewspaper to inculcate the practice of educating and informing the people as stated in the principles of the profession. He warned that as a professional  journalist one has to be very neutral in reporting news.  “Talking like someone informing and educating people is what brings probity, accountability and transparency,” said Gomez.

Madi Ceesay, Former GPU President: When this reporter visited the former president of the Gambia Press Union Mr.Madi Ceesay,he has this to say: Editors have their right of style, the way they  present and the position of the paper on matters of concern.Ceesay continued to assert that the paper is a contributing factor to the development of the country. He added that there are certain things papers on the ground could not talk about but Gambian online newspapers like Freedom can talk about. He said that there is no doubt that there is self censorship in the country.Ceesay said that there are certain things journalists on the ground cannot talk about,he said that the style of the Freedom newspaper,  is the style of the Freedom,that there is nothing wrong with that."One may have the right to criticize them, but there is no one who can force them to do what they want  to do. It  depends on the readership… If they have the taste of the paper, they read it, and if they don't have the taste,  there are other alternatives” said Ceesay.He pointed out that the editorial position of any paper depends on the editors.  “ Put your mouth where your money is,"Ceesay added. To this end, he said that the slant of a particular paper toward a belief has nothing to do with objectivity.

Maimuna Bah student: The Freedom Newspaper is my University. This the only paper I trust in the country. I am now in news blackout because the Government had blocked the Freedom Newspaper in The Gambia. No one here can access the Freedom Newspaper. Thanks to a friend of mine, I was told that there are other ways to circumvent  the blockage. I  go to www.annynimous.com  to read the Freedom Newspaper. I also received emails from my relatives in England who forward the paper to me. I think the Freedom Newspaper is doing a good job.

Foday Ceesay businessman: Step aside for a minute, because I need to watch who is listening to our conversation. Mentioning the Freedom Newspaper’s name openly can land one into jail. I love this paper to death. I am praying for the day, when the Freedom Newspaper would be officially registered here in The Gambia. The President himself should accept the Freedom Newspaper as an independent paper.

   He should lift the band on the Freedom Newspaper. If he doesn’t want to be criticized he should allow another person to lead us. He should be more tolerant.

Muhammed Fatty APRC supporter: I think the Freedom Newspaper is being used by the West to tarnish the name of our leader and his Government. I do not see any positive story on the Freedom Newspaper about the APRC. I hate to say this, but the Freedom Newspaper is anti APRC. You need to praise and criticize the President the need arise. Journalism is not all about negative reporting.