By Nelson Manneh
Two media houses that benefited from the government’s D40M popularisation contract to five media houses and two content creators have given reasons as to why they signed the contract document.
It was reported that at least five media houses and two content creators have been handed about D40 million contract to promote and popularise the Gambia government agenda.
Foroyaa over the weekend contacted the five media houses to enquire about what the contract document entails and their side of the story. The EyeAfrica TV and the Fatu Network in detail have explained their stand with regards to the contract.
The Manager of Star TV when contacted said he saw the contract document that was sent to his media house and went through it because he is a signatory to the contract.
“I cannot give the details of what the contract document entails now because we are on a weekend and the document is not here with me, but if you can give me time, by Monday I should be able to respond,” he said.
The EyeAfrica TV issued a press release which stated that in October of 2023, the Ministry of Information invited EyeAfrica TV to participate in a tender process titled: “Invitation to Buy a Bidding Document for a Restricted Tender for the Provision of Service Contract Agreement Between Clients and Service Provider.
“We followed GPPA regulations and submitted a bid for the services outlined in the tender. This one-year contract (2024) grants the government airtime on our TV platform for broadcasting purposes. This includes TV advertisements, live coverages, panel discussions, and documentaries. As per the agreement, the client will be responsible for producing most of the content, while EyeAfrica TV will provide the airtime for its dissemination,” EyeAfrica TV stated.
EyeAfrica TV further indicated that the contract has no bearing on their editorial policy. “We assure our viewers, readers and followers that this contract was awarded through a legitimate and transparent process, following all regulations for contract awarding and taxation. As a media institution, EyeAfrica TV relies on revenue from various sources, including NGOs, businesses, government entities, and non-state actors, to ensure sustainability.”
The proprietor of The Fatu Network has also said she has no regrets over signing a contract to popularise the Gambia government agenda.
She said that the twelve-month contract, which has been a subject of controversy since it was published yesterday, will see each of the five media houses and two content creators pocket over D5 million.
“The contract has sparked huge media ethics debate across a wide range of platforms.We did not do anything wrong. We are doing business and it’s really sad how people are portraying this whole thing. When this contract was signed, it was a while ago and nobody ever saw any of these media houses coming out and clapping for the government, or saying or doing things that are out of place. So people jump into conclusion without even getting the details. Our media house is selling airtime to the government. For instance, if they have an advert or videos that they want us to share, we do but this is not like for us coming out and making up stories or writing stories about the government.”
She continued: “This contract is just like what every media house is doing with the upcoming OIC summit and the GBoS census because they send press releases and we are sharing them and getting paid. I see a lot of speculation about Fandema Media, those are production companies and they are going to be doing the production work. For example, if the government wants to show the roads of Fatoto, they will go and take all the videos, do all the editing and give us the finished product to share with the public. I do not have any regrets taking this contract and even if it comes again tomorrow, I will take it because I am running a business. This is the first time I am getting a contract from the government. I have been funding my media house, bought all the equipment, paying my staff and my taxes. I am doing other PR work and I use those funds to take care of The Fatu Network. Everybody knows how much equipment cost but the problem with our people is that when their brain is being buttered they don’t talk, it is only when they are on the other side.”
Foroyaa will continue to follow up with the other media houses and content creators and report accordantly.
