By Fatou Sillah
The Executive Director of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, Madi Jobarteh, has cautioned public officials against labeling government critics as unpatriotic, arguing that such rhetoric is divisive and undermines citizens’ right to express legitimate opinions.
Speaking during a recent interview, Jobarteh was responding to remarks by the Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay. He rejected any suggestion that he or other critics of the government harbor ill will toward the country, insisting that criticism of public officials should never be equated with a lack of patriotism.
Jobarteh said holding government institutions accountable through criticism is a fundamental democratic right and should be clearly distinguished from personal attacks. He emphasized that public discourse should focus on issues of law, governance, and accountability rather than personalities.
He further urged public officials to refrain from accusing citizens of working against the country’s interests without evidence, warning that such allegations could deepen divisions and foster unnecessary hostility.
“What the minister is doing, and I would advise him not just for me, but it is dangerous for politicians, for public officials, public leaders, to look at any citizen or a particular group of people and call them unpatriotic or say they want to destroy this country,” Jobarteh said.
During the interview, Jobarteh also challenged Dr. Ceesay to a public debate, saying he was prepared to openly discuss the issues under contention.
He went on to urge the information minister to demonstrate greater honesty and humility in his public engagements, accusing him of making misleading statements while portraying the government as free of fault despite governance concerns documented in official reports.
According to Jobarteh, governments strengthen democracy by acknowledging their shortcomings rather than dismissing criticism. He argued that constructive criticism plays a vital role in improving governance and enhancing public accountability.
“Let him be honest, and secondly, let him be humble. This government is corrupt; it is inefficient. That evidence is not my opinion—it is the government’s own assessment. Read their reports,” he said.
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