World Press Freedom Day 2013
Theme: Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media.
Policy Dialogue on Freedom of Expression
Friday 3 May 2013 – TANGO Conference Hall
Organized by GPU, TANGO and ICFJ
PRESS RELEASE
Introduction
May 3 is
World Press Freedom Day. This day is set
aside by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993 following
a recommendation adopted at the 26th session of UNESCO’s General
Conference in 1991, as an outgrowth of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent
and Pluralistic African Press. This
Seminar took place in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991, and led to the adoption of
the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Media. The
Windhoek Declaration called for the establishment, maintenance and fostering of
an independent, pluralistic and free press and emphasized the importance of a
free press to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, and for
economic development. Following this development, journalists and media
practitioners the world over have been celebrating the day in different forms.
World Press Freedom Day presents an opportunity
for journalists and media practitioners to reflect on the challenges they
grapple with on a daily basis with a view to hammering out solutions to such
problems. It also presents an opportunity for journalists to not only pay
tribute to the martyrs of free expression and media freedom, but to also reward
those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of a free,
independent and pluralistic press.
Policy Dialogue
The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2013 is “Safe
to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media.”. In partnership
with The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (TANGO) and The
International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), The Gambia Press Union will
convene a policy dialogue on freedom of expression with the above theme
starting 10:00am sharp(No Gambian Time) at the TANGO Conference Hall, Fajaraon
Friday 3 May 2013. Webring this theme to a national context by
organizing the first ever policy dialogue on Freedom of Expression with a view
to engaging the Government and other stakeholders in a frank discussion on the
necessity of a free and vibrant media for the promotion of good and accountable
governance, the promotion of human rights and sustainability development in The
Gambia.
The aim of the discussion is to engage in an
analytical overview of the media situation in The Gambia and its ramifications
on national development. The discussions will focus on the political and
economic space for a free and vibrant independent media in the country. This
will raise the question as to how the Government as the primary duty bearer can
create the necessary enabling environment to reflect the fact that freedom of
expression is a catalyst to sustainable socio-economic development.
This Policy Dialogue will therefore provide a
unique opportunity for policy and decision makers, researchers, students,
development workers and journalists and indeed the general populace to get a
better understanding of the media environment in the Gambia. It seeks to
promote knowledge creation and dissemination and offers the Government and the
media the opportunity to also engage meaningfully in the quest for
results-based national development.
It is obvious that
freedom of expression and a free media are fundamental building blocks of
democracy, and the gateway to the realization of many other human rights.
Freedom of expression allows space for change and innovation; supports
transparency and deters corruption; exposes human rights violations; and
ensures that public institutions as well as private sector firms are efficient
and effective in delivering goods and services that meet high standards, and
are affordable and accessible by the general public.
The role of the
media in national development is therefore critical and immense. Yet, for there
to flourish a free press, it is essential that in the first place there exists
the policy, legal and institutional environment for freedom of expression. In
other words, free speech is the gauge by which we can determine the level of
free press in any society. Conversely free press reflects the level of freedom
citizens enjoy in the exercise of their right to publicly and freely express
their views and opinions. In fact the Constitution of the Gambia in Section 25
guarantees freedom of expression, while Section 207 requires the media to be
independent as well as to hold the Government accountable to the people of the
Gambia. Section 208 even went further to demand the public media, i.e. GRTS and
Gambia Info newspaper to, “afford fair
opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and
dissenting opinion”.
In spite of these constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press, the
space for a free and vibrant independent media in The Gambia continues to be
shrinking. On the occasion of World
Press Freedom Day, GPU wishes to once again call on the Gambia Government to
critically reflect on the dire situation confronting the media and journalists
in this country with a view to reviewing policies, laws and the entire
political environment so as to create and expand the space for freedom of
expression and a free press to flourish. This would augur well for national
development, which would also earn the Government more respect as it will be
seen to be acting in line with the constitution and in fulfilment of the
obligations placed on the Gambia by regional and international instruments
ratified by our Government.
In the light of the foregoing and in demonstration of our good will, GPU
has agreed to have the new Minister of Information Nana Grey Johnson deliver a
statement at the policy dialogue on the role and responsibility of the Gambia
Government in promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media within
the framework of national development. There are two discussants. The Managing Editor of Foroyaa
Newspaper Sam Sarrwho will speak on the law and the media, highlighting the
rights and responsibilities of the media. From the civil society sector,
LaminNyangado from Action Aid International The Gambia will deliver a paper on
the role of the media in policy making and development processes, focusing on
the linkages, roles and tools necessary and available for the media in the
Gambia.
In celebration of world Press Freedom
Day and in view of the theme for this year, GPU wishes to express its
appreciation to all Gambians for their support of the media community. We wish
to also commend our media practitioners in the television and radio stations
and newspapers, as well as online journalists for their steadfastness and
professionalism in spite of the difficult challenges we continue to face. With
our partners, GPU would like to call on the Gambia Government, the private
sector and the civil society as a whole to support the independence,
development and professionalism of the media as well as freedom of expressionin
the Gambia. Such gesture will not only serve to strengthen the peace and
stability of the country, but will also enhance national development in all
aspects, thereby making delivery of public services more efficient, accessible
and available to all. GPU strongly
believes that we can only ensure good and accountable governance and make
public and private institutions and firms effective and relevant if we create
the environment for free speech and free media to flourish at all times.
The policy dialogue is open to the
general public.
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