YJAG to hold mega fundraising dancehall show with DJ Pisces

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) is to hold a mega dancehall musical show with one of the most renowned DJs in the country, DJ Pisces on 27 April 2013 at Romana in Bakau.

The fundraising is meant to gather more funds for the association to embark on more capacity building programmes for its members, the young journalists, for them to become responsible journalists in order to contribute their quota to national development of The Gambia.

Lamin Jahateh, secretary general of YJAG, reiterated that proceeds from the programme will also be used to implement a line-up of activities which the association is to hold but could not due to the perennial problem of lack of fund.

"The worthy goals of the association cannot be achieved without funds,” Jahateh noted, adding:  “This is why it is imperative that we devise ways and means of raising the much needed funds.  It is in cognizance of this that the forthcoming programme is being organized.”

Nyima Jadama, public relations officer of the association, called on everyone to attend the show saying “this show will be one in town”.  Ticket for programme is only D50, she added. 

The president of the association, Modou S. Joof, said all the journalists particularly YJAG members are encouraged to attend “as the proceeds will be use for the collective good of all”.

YJAG president called on the general public to patronize the association and support the young journalists to achieve their objectives.

YJAG embarked on its first ever successful fundraising show in July 2011 at the Buffer Zone in Tallinding with the popular Senegalese drummer Sheikh Faal and his Group.

YJAG is an independent non-profit making organization and it is legally registered with the Attorney General’s Chamber in September 2007.   

YJAG has members from both the print and electronic media houses nationwide.  The objectives of the association include promoting unity among young journalists in The Gambia, providing capacity building, and addressing the welfare of its members.

Gambia Press Union boycotts a forum meant to discuss way forward for the media

Members say nothing warrants such a decision  

     

The leadership of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) has decided to boycott stakeholders’ forum in which it’s invited as a “main stakeholder” to discuss the preliminary report that gives an overview of the findings on the situation of the journalists and media in The Gambia.  

Emil Touray

The meeting on 1^st November at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau was part of the “Journalists and Media” component of the European Union Delegation and Gambian Government joint Governance Programme. 

The meeting was for the stakeholders to discuss the preliminary report, prepared by a team of consultants from Article 19 during a mission conducted in The Gambia in October 2012, and commissioned by the European Union Delegation in The Gambia.

Thought the report indicated the achievements, strengths and the shortcomings of the GPU, the leadership of the Union said the report is biased.   

The president Emil Touray, secretary general Gibairu Janneh, and executive director Ahmed Alota are the ones invited to represent the GPU at the forum but none of them showed up neither do they delegate somebody else.

In a telephone conversation with the president, Emil Touray, to find out why the GPU is not represented at such a forum to discuss the way forward for the media, he said: “We just decided to boycott because we are not happy with the report.”

“We are dissatisfied with the content of the report and we thought the appropriate thing is to boycott forum as a way of expressing our disaffection,” he added. 

YJAG 5th anniversary slated for September 16

On 16^th September this year, the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia will be five years old and as such the association is to hold a day-long symposium on the day at the new secretariat of the Gambia Press Union, in Fajara, to mark the anniversary.

A news release from the association has it that the theme of this year’s anniversary is: “Promoting Professionalism Through Capacity Building”, and a number of lectures in line with theme are to be delivered on the day by veteran journalists in the country.

Lamin Jahateh, YJAG secretary general

Besides, as dictated by the constitution of the association, the secretary general, Lamin Jahateh, will give a report of the activities of the association for the past year; and the treasurer, Sulayman Ceesay, will deliver a report on the state of the finances of the association.  

All members of the association and aspiring members are urged to attend.  In the same vein, all press clubs, particularly press clubs at Gambia College, St. Augustine Senior Secondary School, Nustrat Senior Secondary School, Kotu Senior Secondary School, among others are invited to the anniversary. The programme starts by 09:00 sharp.

Diplomats, government officials, media chiefs, YJAG board members and other partners of the association are expected to grace this august occasion.

YJAG gets new advisory board

Seated infront is members of the Board, standing behind them is the YJAG executive

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) has recently inaugurated a new board of advisers that is to provide strategic guidance and a thoughtful advice for the association to help ensure that it remains true to its aims, mission and vision.

Held on 19^th July at the new secretariat of the Gambia Press Union in Fajara, the ceremony was graced by various media chiefs in the country, the executive director of the GPU, and a cross section of media practitioners.

The six-member board consists of Njundu Drammeh of Child Protection Alliance as the chairperson, Nguie Mboob-Janneh representative of the Female Lawyers Association, Sam Sarr of Foroyaa newspaper, Emil Touray, president of Gambia Press Union, Momodou Sabally of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and Mrs Amie Bojang-Sissoho of Gamcotrap former chairperson of the board, and YJAG president, Modou Joof as secretary to the board.

The YJAG Example Should Be Emulated

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia, in short, YJAG has undoubtedly proven to be one of the most viable media organisations in the country.

Since inception, this body of dedicated and committed young media practitioners, some of whom infact hold key positions in their various newsrooms, has implemented  series of significant programmes geared towards creating a better working  environment for its members in particular and enhancing Gambian journalism, in general.

Notable, among its many accomplishments has been the training of its members and even non-members on journalism related subjects ranging from environment to laws governing media work in The Gambia.

YJAG reminds Justice Minister of unfulfilled promise

The Young Journalists of The Gambia (YJAG) has reminded the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Edward Gomez, of a pledge he made to them more than one year ago which he is yet to fulfill.

At the 4^th anniversary celebration, which also marks the 2^nd biennial congress of YJAG, held on Saturday at the Kanifing Municipal Council multi-purpose centre in Kanifing, from the outgoing president, the secretary general and to the treasurer of YJAG all re-echoed in their report that the Justice Minister still did not honour the pledged he made since February 2010 to give the association ten thousand dalasis (D10,000).

Justice Minister Gomez

“Until today, we have not received that D10, 000 pledge, despite several efforts made to remind him about it,” said Assan Sallah, the former president of YJAG, while delivering his statement on the occasion.

“Therefore I will use this opportunity to again remind the Honourable Minister of Justice of his pledge to YJAG,” Mr Sallah added.

“It is worth noting that more than one year on, the promise is still in the pipeline, so for the benefit of our members who think it has went to the pockets of the executive that is not the case,” said the former assistant secretary general of YJAG, Modou S Joof, who is now the president, while delivering the 2009 – 2011 activity of the association.

The former treasurer, Haddija Jawara, also while giving the financial report of the association for the past two years, told the congress that the pledge by the Minister of Justice is yet to be fulfilled.

YJAG ACTIVITY REPORT 2009-2011

Prepared and presented by Mr Modou S. Joof, YJAG Assistant Secretary General, @ the 4^th Anniversary and Congress of YJAG on October 22, 2011 @ the Kanifing Municipal Council Multipurpose Complex, Jimpex Road, Kanifing

Modou S. Joof

The outgoing executive came into being on September 16, 2009 during the first Congress of the Young Journalist Association of The Gambia (YJAG).

After observing democracy, the new executive continues to work under the action plan of the former executive. One of the activities it held in November 2009 was a “Climate Change Conference” funded by the World Wildlife Fund, through the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment.

The conference was designed to increase the knowledge of young journalists on climate change and its effects on the environment and the lives of the people. We believe that journalists can only report accurately topical issues of global concern when they are better understood.

With the climate change summit to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark a month later, the conference facilitated the creation of an organisation of youth groups across the country to converge on a follow-up conference: “A national consultative workshop on youth engagement on climate change” on December 3, 2010 and outlined issues of common concern for The Gambia youth delegation to present at the summit.   

Statement by YJAG Outgoing President At Association's 4th Year Aniversary

SPEECH BY ASSAN SALLAH, PRESIDENT OF YJAG ON THE 4^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE KMC MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, KANIFING ON OCTOBER 22^ND, 2011.

Assan Sallah

Today marks an important milestone in the annals of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia. As we celebrate our 4^th anniversary which also coincided with the association’s 2^nd Congress. I am therefore deeply honoured to give my welcome remarks in this important gathering.

Today is a moment of reflection on our achievements in the past for my executive as it marks the end of term for my executive and the beginning of a new term for the incoming executive. I also want to make it very clear that I am stepping down after serving as president of the association for two years and I will not contest for any position.

However, I would also want to assure the incoming executive that you have my support and can always count on me whenever the need arises. I will still be an honorary member and guide you in our drive to move the association forward.

Mr. Chairman

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

Each year when we celebrate our anniversary, we choose a theme and discuss on it. The theme for this year’s celebration is; “the role of journalists in elections.”

The theme of the 4^th anniversary is indeed timely as we are approaching the 2011 Presidential Elections by next month. May I also use the opportunity to inform this gathering that there will be a training on the role of journalists in elections for members of the association which will be held today immediately after the opening ceremony.

Mr. Chairman

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

You will all agree with me that elections are the cornerstone of any democracy and the media has a vital role in informing the public about what the politicians are promising and to tell the politicians what ordinary people want, or they do not want, as well as ensuring that elections are free and fair. Therefore the importance of the proposed training on election reporting is also very important.

Gambia News Online Publisher Elected YJAG Secretary General

Mr Jahateh

An association of young journalists in The Gambia had unanimously elected, Lamin Jahateh, editor and publisher of Gambia News Online, an online blog, as their secretary general.

It was the second biennial congress of the Young Journalists of The Gambia (YJAG) which also marks the 4^th year anniversary of the association and held at the Kanifing Municipal Council Multi-purpose Centre along Jimpex Road in Kanifing, on Saturday.  During the congress, members of the association elected new executive members to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years. 

The theme for this year’s anniversary was ‘the role of journalists in elections’, because the presidential election of The Gambia, slated for November 24^th this year, is fast approaching.

The publisher of the online blog, which is dedicated to providing up-to-date happenings with particular emphasis on business news, features and analysis, was elected unopposed for the position of secretary general as members of the association are aware of his dedication and commitment to the development of the association.

Mr Jahateh, also the deputy news editor of MarketPlace Magazine, was elected alongside seven other members to replace the Assan Sallah led executive who were at the helm of affairs of the association for the past two years.