GPU Secretary General Urges Media to Prioritize Issues, Combat Hate Speech Ahead of December Election

By Seedy Jobe

The Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Modou S. Joof, has urged journalists to take a more proactive role in shaping public discourse ahead of the December 5 presidential election, calling for issue-based reporting that scrutinizes political promises rather than merely amplifying statements made at campaign rallies.

Speaking during an interview on QTV’s This Morning program on Thursday, Mr. Joof said the media has a critical responsibility to ensure that voters receive accurate, timely, and relevant information to make informed electoral decisions.

He emphasized that journalists should move beyond reporting political rhetoric and instead examine the policies, records, and commitments of candidates and political parties.

According to Mr. Joof, the media should set the national agenda by focusing on issues that directly affect Gambians, including poverty, healthcare, education, and the country’s unfinished transitional justice process.

He expressed concern that several recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and the Janneh Commission, which investigated the financial dealings of former President Yahya Jammeh, remain only partially implemented, yet receive little attention in political discussions.

Mr. Joof urged journalists to question candidates about their plans to implement outstanding recommendations and hold political leaders accountable for promises made during previous elections.

He also stressed the importance of fairness, transparency, and political impartiality in election coverage, warning journalists against allowing their platforms to become vehicles for disinformation, inflammatory rhetoric, or hate speech.

He cautioned that misleading information and divisive political messaging often originate from individuals holding political power or seeking public office, making it essential for journalists to independently verify claims before publishing or broadcasting them.

The GPU secretary general said responsible journalism would be particularly important during the campaign period, when heightened political competition could increase the risk of inflammatory statements that threaten social cohesion.

Turning to the safety of media professionals, Mr. Joof commended the Inspector General of Police for strengthening cooperation between the police and the GPU.

He said nearly every major GPU activity this year had involved engagement between journalists and police officers, reflecting efforts to improve mutual understanding and respect for press freedom.

Mr. Joof expressed hope that the engagements, including training on international standards governing freedom of expression and press freedom, would help ensure that security personnel provide a safe working environment for journalists.

He emphasized that media professionals should be able to carry out their duties without intimidation, harassment or interference from security forces.

He also called on political parties to take responsibility for the safety of journalists invited to cover their campaign activities, including protecting them from harassment or attacks by their own supporters.

Mr. Joof also urged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to improve public access to presidential candidates’ asset declarations, criticizing the limited opportunities journalists have been given to examine the documents during previous elections.

He recalled that media representatives were allowed approximately five minutes per candidate to inspect physical copies of asset declarations, an arrangement he described as inadequate and inconsistent with meaningful public scrutiny.

He argued that such documents should be readily accessible to journalists and the public to promote transparency and accountability among individuals seeking the country’s highest political office.

The GPU secretary general maintained that greater access to candidates’ financial disclosures would enable the media to conduct more thorough examinations of their declared assets and provide voters with information relevant to assessing their suitability for public office.

Mr. Joof further encouraged journalists to strengthen collaboration with election observers and civil society organizations, describing both groups as essential partners in safeguarding the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.

He said cooperation among the media, civil society, electoral authorities and security institutions would be crucial to ensuring that the December 5 election is conducted in an atmosphere of transparency, accountability and respect for fundamental rights.