The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Alieu Ceesay and Omar Wally
11 November 2009
Bijilo — Jato Sillah, the minister of Forestry and the Environment, yesterday presided over a day?s workshop on climate change organised by the Young Journalist?s Association of The Gambia (YJAG), held at the Baobab Resort in Bijilo.
The capacity building workshop for forty media practitioners and aspiring journalists on ?the role of media in combating climate change?, was meant to remind and build the capacity of the young journalists on the crucial role they can play in combating this global menace in the country. Declaring the workshop open, Minister Sillah described the theme as vital noting that climate change is a global problem that needs to be tackled for the future generation. He cited the role of media in informing people on the impacts of climate change and its causes and called for the proper management of the environment and its sustainability.
Minister Sillah further advised media practitioners to always ensure responsible journalism and to take the development of the country into their own hands. In his welcoming remarks, Assan Sallah, the president of YJAG, described the initiative as a milestone, noting that this global menace is affecting humanity. He added that it is a threat to the world and that action must be taken against it. He said the workshop is a step that his association has taken in tackling this global problem. He expressed optimism that at the end of the workshop participants will put the knowledge into practice. Sallah then thanked all those who supported them in making the workshop successful and also the executive of YJAG for their hard work.
For his part, Pa Malick Faye, the managing director of the Observer company, publisher of the Daily Observer newspaper, described the initiative as one in the right direction. He said YJAG, as an association comprising young people committed to fight such a menace, indicates that The Gambia has a future. He cited the crucial role the media plays in the development of any nation and so urged the young journalists to disseminate the information gained at the workshop with accuracy. He finally assured the association of his company?s continuous support as far as they heed to their mission.
Jerreh Sanyang of ministry of Communication, Information and Information Technology, thanked the members of YJAG for organising such a workshop. He advised the young journalists to always observe the code of conduct of the profession. Sanyang further commended YJAG for choosing such a very important theme for discussion.
Pa Modou Faal, the treasurer of The Gambia Press Union, said YJAG is an affiliate of the Gambia Press Union. He dilated on the important role that young journalists can play in tackling climate change and advised them not to only stop in their various offices but to go out to the field in order to have accurate information before publication. For her part, Amie Bojang-Sissoho, the Board chairperson of YJAG, commended YJAG for organising such an important forum.
She advised the young journalists to ensure professionalism in the field and to always contact the right people for any information they want before going to press. Abba S Gibba, deputy editor in-chief at the Point newspaper advised the members of YJAG to be united and forget about individual interest.
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