By Seedy Jobe
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is stepping up efforts to strengthen the safety of journalists ahead of the country’s 2026 general elections, expanding training programs and engaging political parties and security agencies to reduce the risk of attacks on media workers during the campaign period.
Speaking on QTV’s This Morning Program on Wednesday, GPU Secretary General Modou S. Joof said the union has conducted approximately five safety trainings over the past year, equipping journalists with skills in physical security, digital safety, and Hazardous Environment Awareness Training (HEAT).
Joof said the initiatives are designed to prepare journalists for the heightened risks that often accompany election coverage.
He noted that, historically, many attacks against journalists in The Gambia have been carried out by political party supporters and, in some cases, members of the security forces. In response, the GPU has held separate engagements with both groups, securing commitments aimed at improving protections for media practitioners.
According to Joof, political parties have agreed to incorporate journalist safety into their election codes of conduct, while the Gambia Police Force has established communication channels with the GPU to ensure that incidents involving journalists can be reported and addressed more quickly.
“You can’t invite journalists to a press conference or a political rally and allow your own people to harass them and intimidate them,” Joof said, stressing that political leaders bear ultimate responsibility for the conduct of their supporters.
Beyond advocacy, the GPU has also published a journalist safety toolbox containing practical guidance on physical, digital, and editorial security. The resource, he said, was developed by the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication to help reporters assess risks and respond effectively in the field.
Joof also urged media organizations to place the well-being of their reporters above the pursuit of exclusive coverage.
“The story is not more important than your life,” he said, encouraging journalists to avoid positioning themselves within crowds of protesters or other volatile situations where tensions could escalate.
Reflecting on the 2021 presidential election, Joof said the GPU’s earlier engagement with political actors and security agencies contributed to a safer environment for journalists. He recalled that only one journalist was assaulted by political party militants during the election period, while no attacks by security personnel were recorded.
Comments are closed.