"EssaHBSCode241." <[log in to unmask]> wrote:From http://www.observer.gm

News
FJC takes Western embassies to task
By Pa Malick Faye
Jan 4, 2005, 07:21


Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, nominated member of the National Assembly has taken some Western embassies to task over their “selective attendance” of National Assembly proceedings.

Mrs Jahumpa-Ceesay who failed to name the embassies said each time diplomats attend media law debates but, “when it comes to other important laws, they do not turn up. I want to know why this is happening because the situation is really disturbing. Is it that the media laws are the most important to them?

“Mr Speaker, I really want an answer or explanation as to why they are only present when media laws are being debated. We have debated and enacted many important laws one of which are internationally binding but I never saw any Western embassy official present,” she went on
The journalist cum politician said the press is not the forth arm of government as stated by many in this country as it is not stipulated in the Gambian constitution.

“I think it is right time this is clarified. We only have three arms that is the executive, the legislative and the judiciary and that is what is stipulated in our constitution. I think it is correct to call them the fourth estate as most journalists say since they are supposed to be watch dogs to the three arms of the government,” the NAM stated.

She urged Gambian journalists and media houses to stop using their newspaper as a cover up to discredit the government because they oppose it.

“If anyone of them are opposed to the government that must not reflect in their work or if they cannot be stopped then it is right for them to come in the open and support the party of their choice. But trying to use their profession to discredit the government because they are opposed to it is against the principles of journalism,” she added.

According to her, in Western democracies, some newspapers openly show their support for political parties and are doing everything to promote their ideas. “What is stopping Gambian media houses from doing so? I think this is what they should be doing if they cannot remain balanced and objective with their work,” FJC said.
Mrs Jahumpa-Ceesay further said the new media laws will not be opposed by “honest” media practitioners because it will not affect them in their work.

“All good journalists in The Gambia some of whom spoke to me did not see the law as bad. They only saw it as a guide to what they should do and not to do. This government is not against press freedom but against irresponsible journalism,” she stressed.

© Copyright 2003 by Observer Company




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