By Nelson Manneh
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in partnership with The Gambia Press Union and with support from the European Union, on Tuesday, 4 February 2025 commenced a two-day capacity building and training workshop for members of the Gambia Media Council and the GPU. During the training, the Gambia Press Union and the Media Council will develop a guide on Media Monitoring of Ethical Violations.
Mrs. Jainaba Faye, head of the country Office of IDEA, said the media which is often referred to as the “fourth estate”, is a pillar of democracy tasked to inform public opinion and hold the powers that be to account, and to also foster informed debate.
She, however, said that when media outlets prioritize sensationalism over accuracy, clicks over credibility, or political agendas over
impartiality, they betray the sacred duty of their noble profession.
“Ethical violations such as spreading misinformation, invading privacy, or amplifying hate speech, erode trust and fracture the very foundation of society. I stand before you today to underscore the critical importance of monitoring and addressing these breaches not as an act of censorship, but as a safeguard for democracy, truth, and human dignity,” Mrs. Faye said and continued: “Imagine a world where headlines are fabricated, privacy is non-existent, and fear is weaponized to manipulate public opinion, is the consequence of unchecked media ethical violations. It is important to note and as earlier mentioned, monitoring ethical violations is not about stifling free speech, but it is about empowering responsible speech and holding journalists and media organizations accountable.” She said the training is about promoting quality journalism, safeguarding vulnerable groups, and raising credible public awareness.
To address these issues of ethical violation within the media, Faye said media houses must first self-regulate by creating internal mechanisms to address issues of ethics and compliance. In addition, she said national bodies like the GPU and The Gambia Media Council, must serve as effective and independent watchdogs by actively monitoring media ethics, as a contribution to a culture where truth is valued and misinformation is curtailed, making the media remain a pillar of democracy rather than an adversary.
“This ongoing vigilance ensures that the media not only reports the news but does so in a way that reflects the highest standards of integrity, thereby maintaining or even enhancing its role in society,” Mrs. Faye said.
She said the guide will serve as a resource for the GPU and the Media Council of The Gambia with clear guidelines on how to effectively monitor media content for ethical violations.
The European Union Delegation to The Gambia, Raphaël Brigandi, said the EU is a steadfast partner in support of press freedom and professional journalism in the context of the broader goal of strengthening democracy in The Gambia, noting that journalism is rightfully referred to as the “4th pillar of democracy.
“A free and responsible media is the backbone of any democratic society. As we are all well aware here, journalists play a crucial role in informing the public, holding all those who have public responsibilities accountable for their actions, and fostering open and constructive debates. On a global scale, the EU remains a stronghold for free media. To protect media freedom and pluralism in the EU itself, we have recently adopted the European Media Freedom Act in May 2024,” he said.
He added there is indeed no democracy without free media, but at the same time, there is also no freedom without responsibility, stressing that with the responsibility of reporting comes the need to apply high ethical professional standards that ensure accuracy, fairness, and integrity in this endeavour.
“To sum it up we may say that truth, accuracy, and impartiality are the cornerstones of journalism ethics. As a Union, we take pride in making our contribution to building a culture of accountability and transparency in the Gambian media landscape,” he said.
He added that the GPU and the Media Council play a key role in defending the rights of journalists and promoting and upholding the highest professional standards for journalism in The Gambia.
He said ethical journalism not only safeguards the credibility of the media, but also upholds the fundamental rights of citizens to accurate and reliable information.
