The Ministry of Information is the mouthpiece of the Government hence its Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay is the Government Spokesman. The purpose of a mouthpiece or spokesman is not only to speak for the Government truthfully but also to create a fair space for the Government to hear questions, issues and concerns from all.
The press conference organized by the Ministry cannot be confined to only journalists registered with the Gambia Press Union or any other entity. Even ordinary citizens who are not journalists but are able to present themselves as this press conference must be allowed to ask a question or raise an issue or concern simply because the Ministry is the outlet through which citizens can speak directly to the Government.
Therefore, the Minister of Information must be told that his duty is to open the space and facilitate the equal participation of all stakeholders and citizens to receive, share and impart information with the Government. At his Wednesday August 28 presser, Dr. Ceesay failed to guarantee the reputation of the press conference as a Government information outlet.
His denial of Omar Camara to ask a question was draconian and unprofessional. As Omar rightfully highlighted, a fact check outfit is a media outfit which should have the freedom to take part in a public press conference. The statement that only GPU registered journalists should take part in the press conference is both unfounded and unreasonable. I challenge fact-checkers to verify that statement.
Fact-checking is a function of the media intended to determine the accuracy of sources and information. Hence in a press conference like this the participation of fact-checkers is absolutely necessary. After all, what is it that Ismaila does not want Omar to ask? What is the Government hiding? What harm would Omar cause if he asked a question? Would Omar deny anyone else?
Similarly, there was no point in denying Flex Dan the opportunity to ask another question when there was no one else to ask. It was clear that when Flex was denied, no one came forward to ask a question leading to the abrupt ending of the press conference.
The Government cannot claim to be transparent yet refuses to act accordingly. Since the Barrow Papers was issued this is the first press conference held to discuss the issue which has far-reaching ramifications for the life and future of this nation. Hence it was the duty of both the Information Minister and Justice Minister Dawda Jallow to allow open and free participation of all.
Therefore, it was so disappointing that the Minister of Justice stood there refusing to tell the Minister of Information to respect the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and the freedom of the media of Omar Camara and Flex Dan.
Section 207 of the Constitution gives the right and duty to the media to hold the Government accountable on behalf of the people. Hence Minister Dawda Jallow should have come to the defense of the Constitution by calling on his colleague Ismaila Ceesay to back down and allow Omar and Flex to exercise their constitutional rights which he woefully failed to do.
The actions of both Ismaila Ceesay and Dawda Jallow were tantamount to suppression of freedom of expression and freedom of the media in total violation of the Constitution. Do not call a press conference if you know you are not ready to be open by bringing in illegal and unprofessional restrictions. No to Executive abuse.
For The Gambia, Our Homeland
By Madi Jobarteh