I’ve observed individuals who work for the Gambian government, or who directly benefit from it, instructing the Gambian media on how to perform their duties. I would remain silent if their arguments weren’t so foolishly focused on their own interests.
For some, the private media is deemed objective only when certain radio stations and social media platforms, hosted by citizen journalism talk show hosts, conduct interviews that are biased and show disrespect towards the opposition and taxpayers. For them, objectivity is when Boybairaay and Yadicone visits the State House to take selfies with the ‘cool’ and ‘humble’ president, or when the media is paid to highlight the improvements in ferry services.
Then there’s a segment of Gambians who have never purchased a newspaper, not even to read about Ousainou Darboe or a Constitutional Lawyer, or any figure representing their political views. They criticize the Gambian media as ‘Jaliba,’ suggesting that the private digital media in Gambia is the most incompetent globally, despite having no understanding of media operations.
The Gambian media is not immune to criticism, and we have often fallen short of public expectations. I have seen media practitioners, self-proclaimed journalists, display such blatant bias that it’s cringe-worthy. I have witnessed them lose composure unnecessarily and repeatedly produce underdeveloped stories, prompting me to want to shut off their transmitters.
Despite these issues, I still hold certain Gambian media outlets in high regard. We strive to do our best. Every media house makes an effort. Even when the Daily Observer and other private papers were our sole news sources, which focused more on Yahya Jammeh’s breakfast choices than substantial news.
The media industry is notably costly, and the Gambian economy remains fragile, often contradicting the optimistic forecasts of the IMF and World Bank. Recall Yahya Jammeh’s overt contempt for the media; upon assuming power, he derisively dismissed newspapers as suitable only for wrapping meat. This scornful remark significantly influenced public perception, creating a bias so profound that reports of corruption and human rights abuses by the media were dismissed as fabrications. Despite presenting irrefutable evidence, many remained skeptical of the media’s integrity. Nonetheless, the media fulfilled its role by uncovering scandals across various government agencies and ministries, leading to the suspension of crucial donor funding, including USAID’s withdrawal of millions of Dalasi from the Ministry of Health. The media also raised questions about the death of Finance Minister Koro Ceesay and other state-sponsored homicides, diligently reporting and investigating wherever possible. While there is always scope for improvement, dismissing the media’s efforts as negligent is misguided. The previous government spent millions on American lobbying firms in Washington D.C., British PR firms, and Cambridge Analytica. The current administration has appointed a Propaganda Minister, allocating 40 million Dalasi to independent media for favorable coverage and reporting. Leaders heavily reliant on PR firms, who reject criticism and resist improvement, exhibit a fundamental flaw. Instead of addressing criticism constructively, they choose confrontation. This approach is evident in figures like Trump, who actively undermines the media, leaving even his staunchest supporters unaware of how his policies may be detrimental to them.
Returning to the topic of Gambia, our economy is notably weak. For an extended period, newspapers and television stations have derived a significant portion of their revenue—between 20-30%—from the government. However, certain government officials have exploited this financial leverage to coerce the media into providing favorable coverage, even in instances where around 200 million has vanished in connection with the Eurobond. Consequently, the media often maintains a tactically neutral stance towards the government. Nonetheless, it becomes impossible to ignore certain issues from public scrutiny, such as when individuals, like hairstylists, are able to loan millions of dalasis from the government to their friends without any form of collateral.
Nevertheless, the government has chosen to pull advertising, leading to widespread layoffs in media houses. With business so dire, and aside from betting and gambling firms, it’s challenging for media outlets to stay afloat. Newspaper sales have plummeted, and there’s a demand for low-cost content.
Media education and the broader educational sector suffer from chronic underfunding, making the training of competent reporters a daunting task. This contributes to the occasional subpar level of reporting, although efforts persist despite these conditions.
Celebrating the media’s forced compliance may be short-sighted, as the consequences of a subdued press can extend beyond the immediate targets. The government’s actions are not solely against the opposition; they affect all Gambians, fostering ignorance even as basic living costs soar and the state seeks funds to cover debts incurred by officials’ insatiable financial desires.
If you are a decent human being, offer objective criticism to the media, point out the mistakes; the media is always ready to accept criticism and improve. However, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater just to appease your superiors.
