By Fatou Sillah
The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has said the government is continuing consultations with the Gambia Press Union (GPU) over proposed media regulations that have raised concerns among journalists and media organizations.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay defended the proposed measures, saying they were intended to strengthen professionalism and address regulatory gaps in the rapidly expanding media sector, rather than restrict press freedom.
“We are working with the GPU,” he said, emphasizing that discussions with the union remain ongoing.
Dr. Ceesay said the proliferation of digital media platforms had created new challenges for media oversight, particularly as individuals can now establish and operate media outlets without formal registration.
He explained that, before the expansion of digital media, media operators were generally required to obtain licenses, making it easier for authorities to identify them and determine where they operated.
Under the proposed framework, he said, the government wants to establish a system that would help identify media operators, determine their locations, and ensure they receive appropriate protection.
The minister rejected suggestions that the regulations were designed to silence journalists or undermine press freedom, insisting that the government had no intention of reversing the democratic gains made in the media sector.
He maintained that the objective was to promote accountability and professional standards while safeguarding the freedoms journalists currently enjoy.
Dr. Ceesay also acknowledged that some existing laws remain restrictive toward the media and said efforts were underway to reform them. He cautioned, however, that legislative reforms require time.
The minister reiterated that his priority was to strengthen the media industry and improve professional standards, rather than leave behind a legacy of restrictions on journalists and press freedom.
His remarks come amid concerns within the media industry about the potential implications of the proposed regulatory framework for independent journalism and freedom of expression in The Gambia.
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