REJOINDER: HISTORY IS NOT YOURS TO EDIT, MADI JOBARTEH

Why the truth of the 2002–2004 media struggle must not be rewritten

By Alagi Yorro Jallow

In public discourse, disagreement is expected. What is not acceptable, however, is the deliberate distortion of verifiable facts in an attempt to recast history. Madi Jobarteh’s recent article in The Alkamba Times, purporting to revisit the 2002–2004 National Media Commission (NMC) struggle, falls squarely into that troubling category.

His account is not merely flawed—it is revisionist.

At the heart of this matter lies a simple, indisputable truth: the legal challenge against the NMC Act is a matter of public record. In Gambia Press Union & Others v. National Media Commission & Another (Civil Suit No. 5/2005), the Supreme Court of The Gambia clearly identified the plaintiffs who stood against the law. These included the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Deyda Hydara, Alagi Yorro Jallow, Demba Ali Jawo, and Swaebou Conateh.

This is not opinion. It is fact—documented, archived, and accessible.

Yet, in his attempt to reconstruct this pivotal moment in Gambian media history, Madi Jobarteh conspicuously omits my name while introducing individuals who were not party to the case. Such a departure from the record cannot be dismissed as oversight. It raises serious questions about intent and credibility.

Let us be clear: the constitutional challenge to the NMC Act was not a symbolic exercise. It was a defining confrontation with state power at a time when dissent carried real risks. The individuals named in the court filings were not commentators or retrospective analysts; they were active participants in a legal battle that helped shape press freedom in The Gambia.

To substitute or omit names from that record is to alter history itself.

It must also be stated that those referenced by Jobarteh—respected as they may be in their own right—were not plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case. They neither signed the legal petition nor stood before the court in that action. To suggest otherwise is to mislead the public and undermine the integrity of the historical record.

This discussion is not about personal differences. It is about preserving truth in a space where accuracy matters. The history of the NMC struggle is too important to be reduced to selective storytelling or retrospective positioning.

Indeed, Jobarteh is correct in one respect: contemporary legislative proposals echo troubling aspects of past regulatory overreach, now extending into the digital sphere. That is a conversation worth having. But any meaningful critique of present challenges must be grounded in factual integrity. One cannot defend democracy by distorting history.

If we are to invoke the legacy of figures such as Deyda Hydara, we must do so with honesty. The principles he stood for—truth, accountability, and courage—demand nothing less.

The struggle against the NMC Act was not fought in comfort or hindsight. It was waged in a climate of fear and uncertainty, where taking a stand came with consequences. Those who participated did so at personal and professional risk. That reality must not be diluted.

History does not belong to any one individual to edit or reinterpret at will. It is a collective record, anchored in evidence. Court documents do not shift with narratives, and facts do not yield to preference.

In the final analysis, attempts to rewrite this chapter of Gambian history say more about the reviser than the events themselves. The record remains intact. The names are documented. And the truth endures.

No amount of revisionism can alter that.

STATE-LED SKILLS DRIVE IGNITES NEW HOPE FOR PWDs NATIONWIDE

By Madi S. Njie

In a bold demonstration of its unwavering commitment to inclusive development, the Government of The Gambia, through the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, has successfully delivered a transformative nationwide training programme aimed at economically empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Held from 16th to 18th March 2026, the intensive three-day initiative is being hailed as a landmark intervention designed to unlock the potential of PWDs by equipping them with practical skills in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and vocational development—key pillars of the country’s broader development agenda.

The programme commenced at the GOVI Resource Centre in Kanifing, where participants from Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) under the Gambia Federation of the Disabled converged in large numbers, reflecting growing confidence in government-led empowerment initiatives. The momentum continued across the regions, culminating in a major provincial convergence at the Mansakonko Area Council, drawing participants from Lower River, North Bank, Central River, and Upper River Regions.

This strategic rollout underscores the government’s firm resolve to ensure that no Gambian is left behind. It directly advances the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, while reinforcing The Gambia’s standing commitment to global standards under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Officials described the initiative as a game-changer in shifting PWDs from dependency to productivity. Speaking at the opening, Principal Social Welfare Officer Mr. Modou Suwareh emphasized that true independence can only be achieved when individuals are empowered with relevant, market-driven skills.

“Skills development is the cornerstone of dignity and self-reliance,” he declared, urging participants to seize the opportunity as a stepping stone to economic freedom.

Chairman of NACPWD, His Worship Muhammed Krubally, reinforced the government’s inclusive vision, stressing that equality and non-discrimination are no longer aspirations but actionable realities under the current leadership. He noted that empowering PWDs is central to building a resilient and equitable society.

“We are determined to see persons with disabilities rise as creators of wealth and drivers of national progress,” he affirmed.

Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Alaye Barra, acknowledged longstanding structural challenges but pointed to innovation and technology as powerful tools now being leveraged to bridge those gaps. He highlighted that digital skills, combined with entrepreneurship, are opening new frontiers for PWDs to compete and thrive in today’s economy.

Adding further weight to the initiative, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Delo Bah described the training as a “defining milestone” in the government’s social inclusion agenda. He reiterated that empowering PWDs is not just a social responsibility but a strategic investment in national development.

“By providing practical tools and knowledge, we are enabling active participation in the economy and strengthening the country’s human capital base,” he stated.

The training sessions—facilitated by seasoned experts including Ms. Jobe, Alex Pratt, and Mr. Abdoulie Demba Bah—covered critical areas such as business management, digital marketing, and enterprise development. Participants also received assurances of continued mentorship, including free advisory support for business registration—further solidifying the programme’s long-term impact.

Across all regions, participants expressed renewed optimism, describing the initiative as life-changing. Many indicated readiness to launch or expand their businesses, signaling a shift toward self-reliance and economic independence.

Stakeholders have since called for sustained investment in disability inclusion, particularly in enhancing access to digital platforms, assistive technologies, and startup financing. They also emphasized the importance of forming cooperative structures to strengthen collaboration and ensure long-term growth.

This landmark initiative stands as clear evidence of a government not only listening but delivering—creating real opportunities, restoring dignity, and empowering every citizen to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Indeed, The Gambia is steadily advancing toward a future where inclusion is not a privilege, but a guaranteed right for all.

Another Major Endorsement: Jarra News Echoes My Call for Media Reform.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow 

 I am humbled to see Jarra News join the growing national conversation sparked by my recent commentary on the state of journalism in The Gambia. Their detailed analysis affirms what many of us have been warning for years: the crisis in Gambian journalism is internal before it is external.

Jarra News highlights critical issues that can no longer be ignored: the collapse of standards, the rise of untrained voices, the politicization of newsrooms, the erosion of ethics, and the dangerous normalization of defamation and misinformation. Their conclusion is clear and uncompromising: reform is no longer optional; it is necessary for the survival of the profession.

This endorsement follows the earlier editorial support from the Daily Observer, signaling a broader awakening within the media landscape. The message from both institutions is unmistakable:

Accreditation, professionalism, and ethical discipline are essential if journalism is to reclaim its dignity and public trust.

 welcome this growing alignment and hope it inspires deeper reflection, honest dialogue, and meaningful reform across the sector. The future of our democracy depends on a credible, responsible, and principled Fourth Estate. The unified essay, The Rain That Beat Us: A Manifesto for Redeeming Gambia’s Fourth Estate, is now available for publication and public engagement.

DEFENDING THE CRAFT: WHY PROFESSIONALIZATION OF GAMBIAN JOURNALISM CANNOT WAIT

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.

Driving Justice Forward: Government Coordinates Nationwide Push to Implement TRRC Reforms

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The Government of The Gambia has intensified efforts to translate the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) into concrete reforms, with a coordinated approach that now spans dozens of public institutions.

Ida Persson, Special Adviser on Transitional Justice and head of the Post-TRRC Unit at the Ministry of Justice, revealed that the implementation process is being carried out in collaboration with 59 institutions across the country. Her remarks came during a recent interview with investigative journalist Mustapha K. Darboe, where she shed light on the scale and complexity of the ongoing reform agenda.

According to Persson, her office plays a dual role—providing high-level strategic advice to the Minister of Justice while also steering the operational coordination of post-TRRC activities. She emphasized that beyond government structures, civil society actors remain key stakeholders in shaping public discourse and sustaining momentum around the reforms.

At the core of the initiative is a structured implementation plan managed by a dedicated team tasked with ensuring that responsible institutions are equipped with the financial and technical resources required to deliver. This includes mobilising funding through grants and fostering partnerships to maintain steady progress.

The reform agenda itself is extensive. It is anchored on critical pillars such as reparations for victims, justice and accountability mechanisms, institutional restructuring, legislative changes, and the promotion of national unity. In total, the plan encompasses 39 distinct activities and proposes reforms to more than 22 pieces of legislation.

Persson further disclosed that plans are underway to establish a Special Prosecutor’s Office to handle cases related to international crimes committed under the former regime. She noted that while an international tribunal could cost up to $16 million, pursuing domestic prosecutions presents a more viable option at an estimated cost of $2.5 million—offering a pragmatic pathway toward justice.

As implementation efforts gather pace, the government’s approach signals a determined shift from recommendations to action, with stakeholders across sectors expected to play a role in shaping a more accountable and just society.

Binta Jallow Nabbed in Drug Smuggling Attempts at Mile 2 Prison

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Authorities have raised alarm over a growing trend of individuals attempting to smuggle prohibited substances into the Mile 2 Central Prison under the pretext of delivering food to inmates.

In recent weeks, security officials have intercepted multiple cases involving concealed drugs. Notably, a young man from the Yundum area was apprehended after allegedly attempting to sneak a prohibited substance locally known as “kush,” hidden inside packets of instant noodles.

In a similar development, on Monday, 16 March 2026, prison authorities arrested Miss Binta Jallow, a resident of Brikama Newtown, for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility. According to officials, the suspect had visited the prison to deliver food to a remand prisoner when a routine security screening uncovered a plastic bag containing suspected cannabis and pills concealed inside a food bowl.

She was immediately detained and subsequently handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with national drug laws.

Prison authorities, working in close collaboration with DLEAG, have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strict security measures and ensuring that correctional facilities remain free from illegal substances. They have issued a stern warning to the public that any attempt to smuggle contraband into prisons constitutes a serious criminal offence and will be dealt with decisively.

Editorial Note: A Call to Youths

The increasing involvement of young people in drug smuggling and trafficking is deeply troubling. What may appear to be a quick way to make money or assist acquaintances is, in reality, a dangerous path that leads to arrest, prosecution, and long-term consequences that can permanently damage one’s future.

Young people must understand that engaging in drug-related activities—whether as users, couriers, or dealers—comes with severe legal and social repercussions. It is not worth sacrificing your freedom, reputation, and opportunities for short-term gains.

Jarranews urge youths across the country to resist peer pressure, avoid criminal networks, and channel their energy into productive and lawful ventures. The fight against drug abuse and trafficking is a collective responsibility, and the future of the nation depends on the choices its young people make today.

Say no to drugs. Choose a better path.