By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter
The commentary by Alagi Yorro Jallow is not just timely—it is a necessary intervention in a profession that is rapidly losing its soul. What we are witnessing in The Gambia today is not merely a debate over accreditation; it is a full-blown collapse of standards, discipline, and identity within journalism.
1. The Collapse of Standards Is Real, Not Imagined
There is no denying it: journalism in The Gambia has shifted from a disciplined profession to an open marketplace where anyone with a smartphone claims authority. The absence of editorial control, fact-checking, and ethical restraint has turned many platforms into channels of confusion rather than sources of truth. This is not press freedom—it is professional decay.
2. Journalism Has Been Hijacked by Activism and Partisanship
The line between journalism and political activism has not just blurred—it has disappeared. Many who present themselves as journalists are openly aligned with political interests, acting as spokespersons rather than watchdogs. When journalists become political griots, public trust inevitably collapses.
3. Former Guardians of the Profession Have Abandoned It
It is deeply troubling that individuals who once led the Gambia Press Union now contribute to the very decline they should resist. Instead of defending standards, some have embraced propaganda, partisanship, and sensationalism. This moral inconsistency weakens their credibility in opposing reforms like accreditation.
4. Untrained Individuals Are Dominating the Media Space
A dangerous trend has emerged where comedians, entertainers, and social media influencers now occupy spaces meant for trained journalists. Without knowledge of media law, ethics, or verification, they produce content that misleads, defames, and inflames. Journalism is a discipline—not a hobby or a side hustle.
5. Social Media Has Become a Lawless Newsroom
Facebook “journalists” now publish anything—from private conversations to abusive audio recordings—without consent, context, or verification. The rights to privacy and dignity are routinely violated in the name of “breaking news.” This is not journalism; it is digital vigilantism.
6. Defamation and Character Assassination Are Becoming Normalized
The reckless publication of insults, especially targeting families and parents, reflects a dangerous erosion of ethics. Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to defame, insult, or destroy reputations without accountability. A profession that tolerates this loses its moral authority.
7. Absence of Regulation Has Turned Journalism into a “Dustbin Profession”
Without standards or entry requirements, journalism has become a dumping ground for individuals rejected by other professions. This lack of structure invites mediocrity and drives away serious practitioners who once upheld the dignity of the field.
8. Accreditation Is a Necessary Filter, Not a Political Weapon
As rightly argued by Alagi Yorro Jallow, accreditation is a global norm. It does not silence journalists; it distinguishes professionals from opportunists. It ensures that those who inform the public are trained, accountable, and ethically grounded.
9. Public Trust in the Media Is Rapidly Eroding
When misinformation, bias, and unverified claims dominate headlines, the public loses confidence in all media—both credible and non-credible. This erosion of trust is dangerous for democracy, as citizens can no longer distinguish fact from propaganda.
10. Government Regulation Is Now Inevitable and Necessary
Given the current chaos, government intervention—if properly structured—is no longer optional. Regulation must not be confused with repression. Instead, it should
Establish minimum standards for practice
Enforce ethical codes
Protect citizens from defamation and privacy violations
Restore credibility to the profession.
Without such frameworks, the media space will continue to deteriorate into an uncontrollable информационный battlefield.
11. Freedom Without Responsibility Is Anarchy
Press freedom was fought for with sacrifice, including the ultimate price paid by Deyda Hydara. To misuse that freedom today through recklessness and indiscipline is a betrayal of that legacy. Freedom must be matched with responsibility, or it becomes self-destructive.
12. The Silence on Past Reform Failures Is Hypocrisy
It is valid to question why past reform efforts—such as those linked to Ndey Tapha Sosseh—were never implemented or defended. Those who ignored reform yesterday cannot convincingly oppose professionalization today.
13. Editors and Newsrooms Have Failed Their Gatekeeping Role
The disappearance of strong editorial oversight has allowed misinformation to flourish. A newsroom without standards is not a newsroom—it is a rumor distribution center. Editors must reclaim their role as custodians of truth.
14. Professional Journalism Requires Training and Discipline
Journalism is not defined by access to a microphone or camera. It requires mastery of language, understanding of context, commitment to verification, and respect for ethics. Without these, what exists is not journalism but noise.
Conclusion: Reform or Ruin.
The position advanced by Alagi Yorro Jallow is clear and justified: the crisis in Gambian journalism is internal before it is external. The profession is collapsing under the weight of indiscipline, politicization, and neglect.
The choice before The Gambia is stark: either restore standards through professionalization and accreditation, or allow journalism to disintegrate into irrelevance and public distrust.
This is not about silencing voices. It is about saving a profession that has lost its direction. The time for denial has passed. The time for reform is now.
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