NEWS
New Observer MD Line up Some Staffers to be Fired?
BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT



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October 10, 2005
Anxiety and worry continues to grip Gambia's pro-government Newspaper, The
Daily Observer staffers, amidst reports that the paper's new MD Dr. Saja
Taal, has a list of local staffers to be fired soon.

Mr. Taal who assumed office on Friday replaces sacked Observer MD Momodou
Sanyang who was fired along side with the paper's chief Editor Lamin Cham.
Dr. Taal according to our sources had openly said that some of the paper's
staff will be handed with red card, as their "loyalty and commitment to
the Jammeh establishment is questionable."

The former University of The Gambia political science lecturer who
recently resigned from his university job, told observer staffers that he
was hired to correct what he called "a rotten editorial system at the
Observer." Insiders at the Observer say Taal had also hinted to recruit
some APRC Youth Wing action group to engage in the writing business, as he
informed local staffers that the President and his government were the
least happy with their work.

Dr. Taal also a former coordinator of the government newspaper organ
called "the Patriot" was quoted as saying that reporters should engage in
developmental journalism and not sensational journalism. He warns that
under his era as Observer MD, such journalists will ceased to operate as
he will not accommodate such kind of reporting.

Also among his areas of concerns said our sources was the paper's
declining revenue. According to our sources Taal was briefed by the
Paper's deputy MD Adrew Dacosta who told him that efforts were underway to
attract more advertisers.

Taal and the Paper's new Editor-in-Chief Mam Sait Ceesay have both worked
together at the defunct Patriot Newspaper owned and financed by President
Yahya Jammeh. The said paper which was created to sell Jammeh's party
policies to Gambians and non Gambians alike was not widely read, as
readers always doubted their sincerity and commitment to honest and
balance reporting. The paper was later closed. Taal was appointed APRC
administrative secretary, while Mam Sait Ceesay was redeployed to The
Gambia Daily Newspaper and later elevated to the position of sate house
deputy press officer.

"The appointment of the two perceived Jammeh supporters had sent signals
that the Observer is now a full fledge government Newspaper." said an
observer.

Dr. Taal had never hidden his support for President Jammeh and his
government. Gambians are closely monitoring the activities of Observer,
whose staffers are said to be haunted by anxiety and worry.



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