All, please pardon me for poking my nose is this discussion for I am neither 
a journalist nor a publisher.  However, my short life in this world knows 
that without a professional organization, our brothers and sisters in the 
field, however meaning, will not be taken seriously in the fight to stem the 
abuse of journalists in the Gambia.  What do I mean by this?  Five years ago 
or there about, a suggestion was made to include the plight of journalists 
in the Safe The Gambia Fund.  However, a majority of the contributors 
thought that, that would dilute/spread the effort too thin.  A group of us, 
all none journalists, except for Baba Galleh, decided to start a fund for 
journalists, after I believe Ebrima Sillah made a plea following an abuse of 
one journalist by the system, however, I don't recall the name of the 
victim.  These five individuals pledged a monthly sum for that purpose.  For 
years, we tried to encourage our brothers in the field to join and take 
ownership of the effort, but it fell on deaf ears.  Then two years or so, 
ago, after yet another abuse, the issue was brought up again and with the 
help of folks, I compiled a list of more than fifty Gambian journalist on 
the ground and in the diaspora, 80% of whom reside in the US/EU.  We sent 
countless invitations and not even seven ever responded.  All this while we 
see our brothers in the field waging paper wars amongst themselves and who 
has the biggest readership.

The original contributors to the fund agreed to grandfather the remaining 
funds to the current structure.  All on that list are aware of everything 
I'm describing.  I volunteered to be their interim Treasurer until they 
register the org. and run their own affairs.  Baba, Coach, Fatou Manneh, and 
few other spent time drafting and adopted the constitution and Coach was 
working on having the org. registered as a not-for-profit professional org.  
During the election of officers, folks ignored the hell Fatou Ja, Coach, and 
Baba's appeals and that also goes for contributing to the fund.  Madi Ceesay 
is perfectly aware of the situation, for he was copied on all the mails that 
these individuals sent out for months, with no response from the 
overwhelming majority.  The truth is, some of us are too petty and that 
pettiness interfered with even joining something that is to their own 
benefit.  How many of our Gambian journalists can stand up and say they ever 
participated in the current structure?  I can count those that labored and 
sadly, they are not more than my ten fingers.

Folks, what you belong, you should not wait to be invited.  We have this 
thing about a "red carpet" that is very disturbing and frustrated.  Aside 
from informing one that an org. is being formed on their behalf, what more 
does one need?  The truth is those that joined were not given honey or 
sweetener of any form.  They heard the call and stood up to be counted and 
that counts for a lot, folks.  I knew that this day will come and we will 
yet, again find ourselves, requesting folks to do for us that which we 
neglected to do.  "Kou Amut Rongne Dangaa Tella Joy".  As a people, we need 
to stop the free rider syndrome and always leave the few to lift the load 
for the many.  Baba, Couch, Fatou, and others that stood up to be counted 
should be padded on the back and for others to stand up with them.  I hope 
it does not take another five years for our brothers and sisters in the 
field to realize that "Ndimbal Natcha Feka Lohoi Borum".  Askani Saaku 
Ndimbal Lun Warra Wessoy La.  That is among the main reasons why Africa is 
where it is today.  This commentary is general and not intended for any 
personality or ego, but to set the record in its proper context.

So, our brothers and sisters in the field, you are once more provided 
lemons, are you going to make lemonade, or are you going to pretend you do 
not hear the call until another need falls on your lap?  It's your call, but 
which ever route you choose, the rubber will meet the Cement, soon, for the 
offspring of Idi Amin, in Yaya Jammeh, is still around.  Please do not think 
he has no time to maul a couple of journalists, between Tuesday and 
Thursday, as he speeds up the deaths of the HIV/AIDS sufferers.  The 
murderer is smart for the wrong reasons, he knows he can't put them in gas 
chambers or firing squad, so he threatens them to not take their anti-viral 
meds, the very existing hope that buy them time and improve their quality of 
life.  While the unaware and sycophants sing his praises for doing that 
which the "White Man" can't do, these patients are dropping like flies, and 
in between, other Gambians including journalists are game.  I believe a word 
to the wise is sufficient.

Chi Jaama

Joe


>From: Aji Sainabou Jobe <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: [>-<] Yero, What about you?
>Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:51:09 +0000
>
>
>Mr Yero Jallow, I have a few questions for you.
>
>Are you a member of the GPU? If yes, which branch do you belong to?
>Have you ever contributed towards the upkeep of the GPU or journalist on 
>the ground?
>
>Because as a journalist and a publisher for that matter, I expect you to be 
>one and to make some contribution. I do not think it is fair at all to 
>bother Coach and Baba because I believe they are still doing whatever they 
>can for the sustenance of this organisation which you call INACTIVE. If 
>everybody was like you (i.e. if you're not a member), I don't think there 
>will be any GPU-USA in the first place let alone an active one. Coach and 
>Baba are just like you, they were not in the court room when the verdict 
>was delivered and there was no way whatsoever for them to do anything about 
>it at that particular time. So I think it is unfair to accuse them of 
>abandoning the struggle or whatsoever.
>
>I think we should start taking responsibilities and stop pointing fingers 
>at other people. Just recently, I saw a list of contributions for Fatou Jaw 
>Manneh and these people you are trying to discredit, their names were 
>there. But I never saw your name.
>
>Even though the internal GPU have paid the money, they still need a re 
>imbursement for it because, as you know, there is no government subsidy 
>they receive like some of their counterparts in the rest of the World. So, 
>please, do something because I believe Baba, Coach and others have done 
>their best.
>
>Sai Jobe
>
>
>  You wrote:
>
>Mr. Sarr, The guy was released already. He is a free man today. The GPU in 
>the Gambia did a nice job. I am not sure however how they were able to come 
>up with the money. Couch or Uncle Demba might have the latest updates to 
>furnish for the forum. Here are the sad pics though. Rough times they call 
>it. L. Fatty was being whisked away to mile two central prison. It's truly 
>emotional. The van like the wollofs will say "Yalla tereh." [May God 
>forbid]
>
>I agree with you when we challenge people on a particular issue, we need to 
>constantly update them as to fully engage them. I am a believer of an 
>active external GPU. I am sure Couch and his predecessor, Galleh did a lot 
>of efforts in the past. It is discouraging when the load is left on one 
>individual, but one should never abandon the struggle. I therefore make a 
>plea with them to help activate this great entity. Always, y, agog
>_________________________________________________________________
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