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Gambia: What is Daily Observer Up To?
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FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
EDITORIAL
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 26 March 2008
What is Daily Observer up to? In their very first publication after the GPU Congress, they are calling for a split in the GPU. The Managing Director has even gone to the extent of threatening to do away with the services of Buya Jammeh, unless he resigns from the GPU executive board.
This attitude of the Daily Observer management has strengthened the suspicion of many that Daily Observer and possibly some hidden hands are displeased with the positions of the GPU on many issues.
Let us examine what the Daily Observer Managing Director said before and after the congress. In an interview with The Point just before the congress he said: "I have no agenda for the GPU. If they want to be with the government it is left to them. If they want to be anti development it is their problem, but if they want to be with the Americans it is their business."
The GPU is neither anti-government, pro government nor pro - American. It is not a political organisation. It is a pro media organisation. The concerns of the GPU are the concerns of its members - training, freedom of expression, reasonable working condition. These are the cries of media practitioners, irrespective of where they are employed - whether at FOROYAA, GRTS, Daily Observer, The Point, etc. We need to unite around common issues and pursue those issues for our common interest.
The MD also told The Point "I cannot advise any journalist on whom to vote for. If they want Madi Ceesay to continue, let them vote for him by all means."
However, immediately after the congress, this is what he told Foroyaa: Buya Jammeh (who writes for Daily Observer) should not have opted for a position, instead he should have supported Lamin Dibba, Abdoulie John and Ebrima Jaw Manneh (all of Daily Observer).
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Well, as can be seen, his first position is different from the latter. But let us assume that the second position was an overreaction due to frustration that the persons he wanted elected were not elected. What he needs to do now is to be tempered and that through time common sense will prevail.
To conclude, media workers at Daily Observer and GRTS should bear in mind that supporting a divided union, especially one that will be singing praises to the state is definitely not in their interest. That would be like tightening the noose round one's neck. Don't forget that it was not Daily Observer and GRTS that stood up when the Dodou Sannehs, the Chief Mannehs, the Malick Mboobs and others were detained.
There is no security of tenure as far as employment by the state is concerned, no matter how loyal one may be to the ruling party. Some have risen to the pinnacle of power and have not only fallen from grace but have found themselves at Mile 2. Beware!
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