Alagi Yorro Jallow
Fatoumatta: Press freedom should never be conditional—it must stand on the principles of truth, accountability, and integrity, not on ideology, political affiliation, tribal allegiance, or personal bias. Yet, in The Gambia, support for journalists often follows lines of political loyalty, with many backing media houses not because they champion truth, but because they align with their interests.
True commitment to press freedom means standing by journalists and independent media when they hold power accountable, not just when it is convenient or aligns with personal preferences. Journalists who expose corruption, challenge leadership, and amplify the voices of the people should never be abandoned when they are targeted or threatened.
This is why the actions of late Dr. Palmer—a senior citizen with no personal connections to The Independent—are both remarkable and instructive. In a country where media support is often selective and politically motivated, his gesture stands as a rare example of genuine solidarity. He did not act out of allegiance or favoritism; he acted out of conviction—because he understood that an independent press is a pillar of democracy that must be defended, not ignored or politicized.
The Gambia needs more people like Dr. Palmer, individuals who recognize that journalism is not a political tool but a vital institution that protects public discourse and ensures transparency. Press freedom must not be backed selectively—it must be upheld universally.
Late Dr. Palmer’s Unwavering Commitment to Press Freedom.
Fatoumatta: It was an ordinary day in the newsroom—until a reporter walked in and told me there was an old man who wanted to see me. Curious, I nodded, signaling for him to let the visitor in.
He entered quietly, wearing a traditional Winston Churchill hat, carrying a bag that seemed to hold a lifetime of wisdom. With a dignified presence, he took a seat, introduced himself, and said, “I am Dr. Palmer.”
I hesitated. Which Dr. Palmer? His response was calm yet weighty: “Dr. Palmer from Westfield Clinic.”
I had known his name for as long as I could remember—one of The Gambia’s pioneering figures in private medical practice—yet I had never met him. His reputation preceded him, but nothing could have prepared me for the purpose of his visit.
A Gesture Beyond Words. He looked at me, his eyes carrying both empathy and urgency, and said, “I have come to express my appreciation for the role of The Independent newspaper in educating and informing the people. I also feel sorry for what happened with the burning of your printing machine.”
But that was not all.
He continued, explaining that he had come to seek my permission to organize a fundraiser to replace the destroyed printing machine. His words carried profound weight: The Gambian people should not watch The Independent die.
I sat motionless. Shocked, humbled, and dismayed.
He did not owe us anything. He did not even know me personally. Yet, here he was, driven by nothing but a sense of duty—to defend the very press that had been silenced by flames.
Then, with quiet certainty, he reached into his bag, pulled out a check, and handed it to me. 20,000 dalasi.
At that time, in 2005, 20,000 dalasi was no small sum. It was more than money—it was a statement, a defiance against the forces that sought to extinguish truth.
Fatoumatta: Press Freedom deserves more than words.
Along with his contribution, he handed me a press statement he wanted us to publish, detailing the fundraiser. As I held the check and the statement, I wondered, why was this old man doing this for us? For me? For a newspaper he had no personal ties to?
Gratitude overwhelmed me. I thanked him for his selfless initiative, and we spoke about the next steps. I suggested he work with the Gambia Press Union (GPU) to oversee the fundraiser, knowing they would offer valuable collaboration.
I immediately called the GPU President at the time, Mr. Demba Ali Jawo, to inform him of Dr. Palmer’s intention. Demba Jawo welcomed the effort, and I encouraged him to work alongside the man who had single-handedly ignited a movement for The Independent’s revival.
A Nation’s Silence.
An account was set up for fundraising. Yet, despite Dr. Palmer’s generous 20,000 dalasi contribution, fewer than ten people donated.
A senior citizen had stepped forward, unprompted, to save an independent newspaper, while others—those who claimed to champion press freedom—stood by in silence.
Was it fear? Was it indifference? Or was it the very thing that plagues Gambian society—the tendency to only support when it is personally convenient?
Fatoumatta: The Night They Tried to Silence Us. The Independent Eagle Printing Press, valued at 1.3 million dalasi, met its fate on April 13, 2005.
That night, armed arsonists arrived, guns and gasoline in hand, as the staff worked tirelessly to print The Independent. They did not just burn a machine—they terrorized, injured, and tried to erase voices they found inconvenient. They vanished into the night, leaving three staff members wounded and a nation with one less beacon of truth.
But what they did not anticipate was this—truth cannot be burned.
Fatoumatta: Dr. Palmer understood this. He refused to watch silently as The Independent was left to die, stepping forward when others did not. His act of defiance remains a testament to what press freedom should be—unwavering, unshaken, and protected not just in words, but in action.
