As the country gets closer to the eagerly anticipated presidential election, we wish to reiterate the call of the Interior minister that journalists should be engaged in responsible reporting, particularly while on the political trail. The minister's comment which came as he addressed media practitioners on the occasion of the 4th Anniversary of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) was indeed timely.
The media have a crucial role in society. Journalists are instrumental in shaping the views of people as well as the sense of direction of the society. Mishandling of the pen or the microphone can only tantamount to destruction of self and society as a whole. This is why professionalism is a key word in journalism. As the country therefore gears up for another electoral period, responsible reporting should become and always continue to be the watchword of our reporters.
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