As Media Stand-Off Reaches New High, Press Union Expels Director of
Relations



The Independent (Banjul)

August 10, 2001
Posted to the web August 10, 2001

Cherno Jallow Secretary General
Banjul, the Gambia

Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay the director of press and public relations at
State House has been expelled from The Gambia Press Union after what the
union called her calculated attempt to spoil relations between the
government and the press.

In a move unprecedented in its history, the union expelled Mrs.
Jahumpa-Ceesay in apparent contempt for her abrasive remarks against the
private press whom she labeled as destabilising factors of the regime. A
press release from the union to that effect is reproduced below.

"Your recent unwarranted attack on the private media, to the extent of
describing them as troublemakers bent on destablishing this regime deserves
the Union's highest condemnation.

It is seen by the union as a calculated attempt on your part to further
destroy any rapprochement between government and the press. Your task should
be to bring these two parties closer in the interest of fostering better
understanding for the benefit of the electorate. Yours is never to divide
but unite. Furthermore, this attack on the private press and staged at a
public rally and coming from no less a person than you, the former treasurer
of The Gambia Press Union makes it all the more tragic in that a person of
your standing and caliber could yet stoop so low shows how power can
corrupt.

Also, the Union's records indicate that as treasurer of the Union, you have
failed in the past four years to render accounts of the finances of the
Union. You have also failed, as required by the Union's constitution, to
offer an excuse or explanation.

These same records further indicate that during this period you equally
failed to pay your dues and subscription to the Union.

All these commissions and omissions on your part constitute enough grounds
for the highest disciplinary sanction to be taken against you.

Under these circumstances therefore, the Union has no other option but to
expel you from its membership with immediate effect.



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