President Adama Barrow, who was represented by Minister of Information, Demba Ali Jawo, said the government has started working towards pursuing Media Law reform so as to allow flexible and open journalistic avtivities in the country. He maded this remarks on Tuesday at the World Press Freedom Day symposium held at the University of The Gambia Faculty of Law conference hall.
“Some of our laws are not media friendly and therefore our intention is to reform them and bring them in line with best practices in other part of the world,” Jawo stated.
Jawo disclosed that over 20 commercial and community radio stations, and a national television are currently in operation in the country.
“Since the return of the new era, there has been application for various types of media which include private televisions,” he stated.
He further said that the government has already opened doors for more importantly interested individuals or group who are ready to establish private television stations.
“I can assure you that the Public Utility and Regulatory Authority (PURA) has already started evaluating applications and it is just matter of time before private television becomes a reality in this country. Other area that the Ministry is forcing is the prorogation of a regulating framework but I can assure you that we will never impose anything on journalist.
“We are aware that the most ideal form of a regulating framework for the media is self-regulation,” he said, therefore be rest assured that whatever form of framework that would be in place would be discussed with all the stakeholders particularly The Gambia Press Union,” Jawo said.
