Successes & Failures of GPU,

Delivered at the GPU congress, GTMI Kanifing, 26/06/2011.

By Madi M.k.Ceesay: CEO Media Agenda & Daily News.

Success

Gambia Press Union (GPU) was founded in 1978 by a group of private journalists under the leadership of the veteran Gambian journalist and publisher, the late Mr. W. Dixon Colley.    

The union has grown since then to where we are today. GPU has numbered more than a few hundred registered members many of whom are freelance journalists. Others work for both the print and electronic media including some in government service.

The GPU is a legally registered union that is dedicated not only to press freedom and media development, but also to the development of the country in general, and has under its umbrella The Association of Health Journalists, The young journalist in the media, the Sport journalist, and a host of other group of journalists practicing in the country.

GPU aims to be a champion of press freedom and the right of journalists to practice their profession in The Gambia. To that end it has taken issues with the government of the day in both the first and the second republics and is particularly concerned about the anti-press legislation programme of the present government. Through mass sensitisation campaigns and court action, it has succeeded in having the government repeal the Media Commission Act with its draconian provisions and repressive measures.

Currently, the union is seeking to bring about further reforms in the law, particularly the recently introduced Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2005, the Newspaper (Amendment)   Act 2004 and Decree Numbers 70 and 71.  The GPU has also organized and co-organized conferences and workshops on press freedom, freedom of expression, democracy and development.

Ø  The most outstanding achievement that GPU as an organization is proud of; is the maintenance of its democracy. Since 1978 when it was founded there were regular congress where members take major decision, as who should lead them.

Ø Succeeded in having the government repeal the Media Commission Act with its draconian provisions and repressive measures.

Ø Build capacities of several journalists (GAMES) Various disciplines: Investigative reporting; photography; lay outing; and so on

Ø Currently the GAMES project is about to complete with a high level programme in journalism.

Ø The GPU is able to come up with income generating project likes printing press. First in 2007. Where a printing press was secured to help meet some expenditures.

Ø Recently another printing press is available and put at the disposal of the GPU to help generate some funds in other to further build capacities of its members.

Ø GAMPRINT is another project in place; this project is able to bring down cost of newsprint.

Ø GPU whose members use to meet in the BBC hall before moving to the offices of the Point newspaper has for several years got itself a functional secretariat. Fist at Fajara, then Serekunda and along Garga Jahumpa road new town Bakau.

Ø The union successfully conducted a media observation the 2006, presidential elections.

Ø We are also able to sit on the highest decision making body of the media in 2007/8/9/10. IFJ Executive member, FAJ Executive member and Second vice president WAJA respectively.

Ø GPU is also among its success was able to maintain its unity. It refuses to be divided by forces anti-media progress. As has happen to other unions like GAMSU. That is an admirable success.

These are all success the Gambia Press Union was able to attain in the immediate past.

v The Gambia Press Union had always stood firm its ground and never allows to be derailed from her track since 1978. The GPU has and continuous to stand for the welfare of its membership and beyond.

v Once a journalist, and is facing difficulties, whether you a card holder or not, whether one is a Gambian or not, once you are a journalist GPU always play its role in the defense of the journalist and the profession.

v GPU, was never involve in party politics, nor does the GPU involves itself in unlawful practices.

v So it’s true that GPU kept its agenda relevant.

Failures

I am asked to talk on the failures and successes of our dear union. It was all not successes but we failed in some areas. It is only fair   that where we fail is also highlighted.

Ø  The fact that it is seven years down the line we are not able to make a head way into uncovering the identities of the killers of our colleague, late DEYDA HYDARA. We should be able to use our investigative skills as journalist and uncover these cowards. Is a failure.

Ø The same goes for Chief Ebrima Manneh. Both colleagues are gone and we cannot do anything about it.

Ø As a union we also fail to set up a self regulatory body to take care of our humanely mistakes. It’s long overdue and something needs to be done about that, the sooner the better.

Another area we fail is influencing a better media / government relationship, after all efforts. That success cannot be achieved by one party, it’s a dual responsibility.

GPU Congress: Solidarity Message from IJF President

 

Ndey Tapha Sosseh President Gambian Press Union 24^th June 2011

 

Dear friends,

It gives me great pleasure to be able to congratulate you on your triennial congress today on behalf of the IFJ and its unions worldwide. This should be indeed a tremendous commemoration of journalism but also a wonderful tribute to what your union and its leadership have achieved.

The IFJ and its affiliates are indeed very proud of your resilience and determination to confront many of the tough challenges you have been facing in the last few years. You had to face up to colleagues being harassed, beaten up, kidnapped and imprisoned. At times you had to defend the very existence of your union. Most of the time, you had to learn to navigate through choppy political waters, lobby and stand up for the interest of your members. In the end, despite scary moments, you came out of it with flying colours. 

I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that, over the years, you have acted as one of the most combative of our unions, always putting first the interests of journalists and journalism. This is not just a personal judgment but a view shared by many of our unions, who always admired the way you fought for just causes and your confidence and belief in your strength and your solidarity.

I must also congratulate you for your spirited fortitude and tremendous maturity in keeping your unity intact at all cost. This is something so rare today in Africa. Confronting so many obstacles, I am fully aware that keeping united can be crucial in building the GPU.

The whole global family of journalists has been fully aware of and given its support to your struggle. We are all full of admiration for the grit and tenacity of your leadership during the darkest hours in the face of brutal oppression and jail conditions, and the courage and drive of your president in succeeding in putting the ordeal of Gambian journalists as a top priority for our unions, the human rights community worldwide and even governments.

This is a historical record that does great credit to Ndey and to your union.  I never had any doubt that your union has always been at the centre of the fight for social justice and journalists’ rights in Gambia. You have shown an indomitable fighting trade union spirit, which is a real model for many of our unions.

Finally I am well aware that on this day you will be assessing your journey with all its strength and weaknesses and I hope you will also be full of optimism and sense of achievement. I wish I could be with you for this historic celebration. My message to you is to continue the fight. These are difficult times for all of us, when the need for aware, independent and ethical journalism is greater than it has ever been. I am confident that Gambian journalists are in good hands as along as the GPU continues to thrive and to develop.

In solidarity

JIM BOUMELHA President International Federation of Journalists

• Read by Louise Thomasi, IFJ Africa Office at the Gambia Press Union Triennial Congress June 24-26, 2011, on behalf of IFJ

Solidarity Message to GPU from Nigeria Union of Journalists, WAJA

Nigeria Union of Journalists – NUJ/WAJA

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists – NUJ and President, West African Journalists Association-WAJA, MUHAMMMAD GARBA, extends the goodwill of both WAJA and NUJ to the Gambia Press Union as it convenes the Congress of its union on Sunday, June 26, 2011. GARBA notes with satisfaction the very dynamic role played by the union in recent years in encouraging the freedom of the press and in promoting democracy.

Despite having suffered a number of setbacks severally, with the obvious but unsuccessful attempts by government to control the media, GARBA condemns the increased harassment of journalists in the Gambia, acts which he says are causing frustration among media professionals in the country.

He however commends the resilience of GPU leadership and members, their commitment to freedom of expression and the rule of law.

The President of NUJ/WAJA  is worried that the Government of the Gambia had increasingly continued  filing legal cases against media professionals who especially report on allegations of corruption, while security operatives have been used to block access for reporters in several areas and to frighten many journalists into self exile, a development he states is counterproductive. He thus urges the Government of the Gambia to avail itself of the opportunity of the GPU Congress to heal such wounds.

MUHAMMAD GARBA, while expressing concern about the continuation of the independence of the press across the sub region, argues that poor professional standards and ethical violations continue to make the press vulnerable to government attacks. He appeals to all Journalists to strive at all times to adhere strictly to the code of ethics of the profession, as a way of reducing the incidences of acts of impunity against the media.

GARBA , while wishing the GPU a successful Congress, also appeals to delegates to elect credible leaders who will work assiduously with other sister Unions and Associations in the sub region in uplifting the standard of the practice of journalism.

SHU’AIBU USMAN LEMAN

National Secretary

• Read by Louise Thomasi, IFJ Africa Office at the Gambia Press Union Triennial Congress June 24-26, 2011, on behalf of NUJ/WAJA