INDEPENDENT OBSERVER NEWS MEDIA NETWORK
WHO OWNS "PROGRESSIVE AFRICANS NEWSPAPER?
A new online Newspaper called the "Progressive Africans" has hit the news stance. The website being operated here in the United States, is said to be "sympathetic" and strong supporter of President Yahya Jammeh's governance policies. The site bearing The Gambian Government logo design and pictures of Jammeh, is also propagating the much talked about Jammeh's vision 20-20 developmental program.
Independent Observer News Media Network visited the site and discovered that the news medium had a radio and television network. Jammeh was on air talking about his government's economic, cultural and governance policies. What is clear is that the Website is being run by Jammeh's former AFPRC spokesman Ebou Jallow. Mr.Jallow, had published series of editorials and news items in a bid to market the image of ruling APRC to the civilised world.
It is not yet clear under whose name the said website was registered, but State House sources in Banjul hinted that the site was being coordinated by The Gambian embassy in DC, who chose to use Ebou Jallow as a front in Jammeh's cyber world politics. Ebou Jallow, also a former naval officer with The Gambian Navy, fled to the United States some couple of years ago, after been accused by President Jammeh of syphoning millions of dalasis into an overseas bank account.
The said money according to the former military junta headed by Jammeh, was meant to secure cooking ingredients for the impoverished Gambian population. The government tried to freeze the said account, in which the funds were transferred to allegedly by their agent Ebou Jallow. In reaction to the government allegations, Jallow told the BBC Focus on Africa's Robin White that, there was no iota of truth into the government's accusations. He Jallow threatens to spill the beans if Jammeh and his cronies failed "to keep their mouth shut."
Since then Ebou, had been residing in the United States. Shortly after his arrival in this country, thanks to Mr.Jallow, Gambians were able to know some of the atrocities perpetrated by the junta. He gave a vivid account about the circumstances leading to the murder of former Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay. His revelations were never challenged or disputed by the current government.
Once an arch rival of Jammeh, had today turned to be his strong supporter. Ebou's sudden change of heart towards the Jammeh leadership is a subject of discussion within and outside the West African country. While, some say it was wrong for Jallow, to associate himself with a government he claimed to have persecuted him in the past, others viewed Jallow's move as an attempt to solicit financial help from Jammeh, who sources say is increasing worried about the online corruption revelations peddled against his administration. The launching of the "Progressive Africans" online paper said our State House source, was as a result of the growing concern expressed by the President for the need to have an overseas online Newspaper that will "propagate the party's policies and to counter any unfounded story reported against his government."
Insiders at The Gambian embassy in Washington DC, the Nation's capital approached a Gambian journalist name withheld to be writing stories for them, but the journalist turned down their request for personal reason. This was well before the launching of the website, which is today in circulation. The questions lingering in the minds of Gambians is that : Is President Jammeh, sponsoring the "Progressive Africans? If so, did such funds been channelled through the National Assembly for approval. Or is Jammeh using his own funds to help Ebou and CO? We hope Ebou Jallow and his friend Alieu Sanyang will help us with answers. You can accuse us of being noisy, but we are just being curious. People interested to visit the said pro-Jammeh cyber site can access it at this address: www.progressiveafricans.com
It is not wrong for online Newspapers to support political parties, if they are funded by local parties on the ground. What is wrong is to hide in the name of "Independent Journalism" when in actual fact such papers are not independent. It is imperative for such papers to clearly spelt out their editorial stances to avoid confusion. Once media houses received monies or gifts from interest groups, they are bound to dance to the dictates of such pressure groups. What we need in today's Gambia is an online paper, which does not support any political leader or parties on the ground. This will help a great deal in making our leaders accountable to its people.
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