In a decisive move aimed at protecting Gambian journalists and the media fraternity against government control, the West Africa Editors Society (WAES) has, without delay, issued a statement backing the Gambia Press Union’s decision to outrightly reject the government’s proposed Broadcasting and Online Content Regulations 2026, which aims to register online media and journalists through the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
“In solidarity with our comrades in The Gambia, WAES offers its unwavering support to the GPU and its rejection of the ominous proposal to register journalists,” the group said in a statement. “Such media registration regimes should not be countenanced in any democracy, nor should they be allowed to come into being.”
Last week, the Gambia Press Union, media stakeholders and the civil society issued a joint statement rejecting the said regulations and urging journalists not to take part in any meeting that seeks to legitimise the proposed regulations.
WAES cited Section 25 and 207 of the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia, stating that they guaranteed every person’s right to freedom of speech and expression, which includes the freedom and independence of the press and other media.
The regulations put forward by the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services in collaboration with PURA raised eyebrows among the Gambian media fraternity and its stakeholders, recalling similar steps taken by the country’s former President Yahya Jammeh by introducing the Media Commission Bill in 2002.
“It is no secret that registration and accreditation systems have been used as a tool to manipulate, silence and restrict the media from holding power to account,” said, adding, “Introducing such a regime at this time leaves no one in doubt that there is possibly a hidden agenda to muzzle the media at a time they are most needed.”
WAES stated that the Gambian authorities should, at these critical times, try to strengthen the media, protect journalists and journalistic integrity rather than trying to introduce regulations that seek to control the media.
The GPU and its stakeholders have vowed to challenge the regulations at both domestic and regional courts should they come into force.