PRESS STATEMENT:
The executive committee of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) on February 18, 2012 paid a courtesy call on the leaders of the
Gambia Press Union (GPU) to strengthen relations and discuss on intended areas
of cooperation.
Both sides express commitment to complement each other’s efforts in the
promotion and protection of the welfare of journalists in the country, a goal
critical to a vibrant media and the professional development of journalists.
However, the primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss about plans
for YJAG and GPU to jointly commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2012. The day
(3rd May) is set aside to remember, salute the courage of and
celebrate the successes of fallen journalists worldwide and a platform for
advocacy for greater press freedom.
“As part of our
activities, we plan to publish the maiden edition of YJAG Newsletter, which is
proposed for launch on this year’s World Press Freedom Day,” YJAG President
Modou S. Joof said. “We would like to cooperate with the GPU in holding the
event successfully.”
One of the main aims of YJAG is to complement the efforts of the GPU,
but we cannot complement each other’s efforts when we are all operating in
isolation, YJAG Secretary General, Lamin Jahateh said. He emphasised the
need for both sides to come together and work towards the betterment of the
Gambia media industry.
“One of our common goals is to address issue of concern to our
members,” he said.
The President of the GPU, the supreme body representing
journalists, said he welcome the idea. “I don’t need to seek any approval from my co-executive members to
collaborate with you as long as it’s in the best interest of media freedom in
the Gambia. “If we can collaborate with other partners to commemorate World
Press Freedom Day, why not with YJAG,” Emil Touray said.
He said the proposal is very good and that it is only through
collaboration that we can achieve our common goals.
He said YJAG coming up with a newsletter is
“a step in the right direction” and shows commitment to the association, which
has made a giant stride in promoting democracy from within and promoting press
freedom in this country.
While giving
the Union’s backing, Mr. Touray task YJAG to ensure that the proposed
newsletter is produced on good content and quality, well edited, since it can
open up doors for opportunities for the association.
He also urges for YJAG Executive to continue
working hand in glove, saying “We will make sure that we do our best to support
you in any way that we can if possible.”
GPU’s 2nd Assistant
Secretary General (Lamin Njie) and Co-opted member (Sarjo Camara-Singhateh)
both emphasise the need for affiliate journalists’ organisations to work
closely with the Union to complement one another’s efforts to address issues of
common concern.
For more information please contact:
YJAG Executive Committee
Tel: +220 3629120 / 7990414 / 6414476 / 9987390
Email: youngjournalists07@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
The views expressed in this section are the authors' own. It does not represent The North Bank Evening Standard (TNBES)'s editorial policy. Also, TNBES is not responsible for content on external links.