On Monday 4th July, 2022 the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication-MAJaC graduated 21 journalists who benefited from a 15-day training in ethical reporting at the National Nutrition Agency Conference (NaNA) Hall in Kanifing. 

The training was meant to equip journalists with the requisite skills to take ethical decisions in gathering and reporting news. The training was funded by the United States Agency for International Development-USAID through the Freedom House.

Speaking at the graduation, Mr Sang Mendy, the Managing Direct of MAJaC reminded graduates that the programme seeks to enhance ethical and responsible journalism for the production of trustworthy and responsible journalists who would tackle any ethical dilemma that comes before them for the interest of society. 

Mr Mendy added that, "it is important to note ethical journalism is becoming more important today than ever. ” Therefore, while the media fight to regain trust, improve quality and enhance democracy, the unethical behavior by pressmen and women poses a great threat to maintaining trust and quality, seeking the truth and holding governors accountable for their actions and inactions,’ he said I am convinced you have been prepared and embolden to handle any ethical issue before you.”

Mr Mendy further challenged the beneficiaries to be shining light, lead the way, and reach out to their colleagues out there doing wrong things knowingly or unknowingly to save the profession.

Managing Director Mendy concluded by expressing gratitude to his partners and congratulated the graduates on their achievements.

Judy Oder, Country Representative of Freedom House congratulated the participants for taking the training seriously and for completing all sessions and informed them that it is now their responsibility to practise what they have learnt.

She said a professional media is critical in holding governors accountable in promoting respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights in developing democratic society like The Gambia.

She further expressed delight for partnering with MAJaC and GPU for the successful implementation of the project.

For his part, Mr Muhammed S. Bah President of The Gambia Press Union, congratulated the participants on their successful completion of the programme. He said ethics is a life saving machine for journalists, adding the essence of acquiring the skill is to practise it. Mr Bah further challenged the graduates to be ambassadors of ethical journalism.

Adama M. Joof, a beneficiary of the training said, despite the media being the 4th most important estate, it has always been blamed for certain misconduct. 

She said, if those that should serve and save the public, turn to manipulate the public with imbalanced, opinionated, and sensationalized stories, then it becomes deeply worrying. 

This team here, she said “is equipped with a lot of ethical principles, I believe it will help change the narratives.” 

“We’ve been challenged to display high degree of professionalism in our journalistic work, so we’ll make a good use of the skills. Every story will be an honest search for the truth,” she said.

Ms Joof on behalf of the beneficiaries of the training, expressed delight to the Media Academy for implementing the project. She also thanked the Freedom House and USAID for supporting the training.