Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Lawmakers Unhappy with Media Reports



“Gambian Media Accused of Unbalanced Reporting”
 
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The North Bank Evening Standard has reliably gathered that lawmakers in The Gambia have expressed dissatisfaction over recent media reports on the proposed increments of the amount of fee to be paid on national documents as well as the five per cent tax levy on rice.
This year’s budget saw almost a 100 per cent increase on passport, road tax and license as well as 5 per cent tax levy on rice-developments that caught the attention of members of the ruling government.
According to reports monitored from The Daily News, media reports (print and electronic) on the debate are not balanced and objective because the reports were centered only on those who spoke against, while account of those who spoke in favor were not featured, National Assembly Members (NAMs) argued.
The Majority Leader and Member for Serekunda East Fabakary Tombong Jatta who launched the attack quoted from a recent article “NAMs Mourn Increment on National Documents”.
“It is true that we are being critical of issues, but the positive sides f statements are never been captured by the press”. “I was in Kaur recently when I heard a group of people talking about the increase on rice,” a nominated member, Seedy Njie was quoted as saying by The Daily News.
He added: “What is saddening is that a particular radio station (name withheld) reported that the state has made 15 per cent tax increase on rice.”
Hon. Kebba Gaye, the Member for Jokadu District also clammed on a particular radio station for what he termed to be reported below standard. “We should criticize constructively” he said.
“I do not consider Gambian press to be a fair press,” the Member for Lower Niumi Cherno Charm said. He stressed: “If the press wants to be independent they do not have to compose their newspapers with negative views.”
“These newspapers make every body confuse by making hyperbolic headlines as if they are borrowing words from William Shakespeare,” he argued. VOL:2 ISSN:13

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