Gainako Newspaper

I read with great interest the many incidents of ill treatmnet
of journalists in The Gambia well documented in an article
written by PK Jarju and wish to add my thoughs on it: My
contributions would come as a series and in this first one I
take a few cases of ill treatment of press men and how the
lack of professional media advisers at state house caused
media blunders at the presidency!

Those who are surprised by the current plight of Dida Halake
are those not in the know that humiliating staff at the Observer
and indeed government media houses are a tradition.

Unfortunately though except perhaps in Halake's case; a few
others I know have done their best not just to serve their
media houses but also the general audience. The whole thing is not far from the general rot that
characterise todays' Gambia where hypocrites and mediocres have hijacked the national services and
are busy destroying the competent ones! Let me focus here on a few cases I know of in the media!

The Daily Observer was my favourite paper and I hardly missed an edition between 1993 to 2004.
I was privy to a lot of information arising out of the circumstances that led to the sale of the Observer
and I remained close to the establishment even after that. If I want to give specifics here most of the
staff would make out my identity which I do not want.

My intention here is to draw attention to the ungratefulness of the Observer management to its staff
and how the general treatment of journalists by the APRC government through bad advise or
hypocrisy has brought about the present poor image of the president and the country:

I will start with the dissatrous handling of the case of three journalists among many other good ones
who have been maltreated by the system in Banjul and have left in fear or shame for having been led
down by the very system and state they were serving.

Sheriff Bojang: Currently studying in London
Contrary to what many believed, the sale of the Observer could not neccesarily have brought about its
sorrowful state today, if the innovative strategies and editorial management employed by Sherrif
Bojang had not been rudely interupted . Even though everyone knew that the new owners are close to
President Jammeh, if it is not himself, Bojang had vigorously pursued a fair coverage of issues that
though not harshly critical of the regime, but never fail to cover what was in the public dormain. Sheriff
was gifted in recognising what was news,especially what the readers wanted to read.

Soon after he took over the paper, Bojang created interesting columns and pioneed the popular
Weekend Observer with its much sought -after stories, features and Sports. Indeed so interesting was
the Observer that people hardly noticed that its ownership has changed hands.Sheriff was hell bent on
keeping much of the paper:s reputation intact following the high profile sacking of DA Jawo and the
honorable resignation of Baba Galleh Jallow.

This period, compared with the rogue spell under Buba Baldeh, was like death and life. However
even after the gabbage and gutter years of Buba Baldeh with his blind biasness towards the
establishment, Bojang managed to lift the paper to acceptable heights upon his return as manager.
Drawing experience from his years as reporter he himself anchored breaking news stories and
conducted eye browsing interviews with people and on issues which are taboo under Buba Baldeh.

But what happened to Sheriff? Hypocrites and charlantans in the board conspired against him in their
snake like style and managed to throw him out because he would not condone their mediocracy. He
was one day given the boot without notice. I was very close to a certain board member who later
became the angel God of the Observer claming to be the voice of Jammeh on Observer matters. if I
want to go into the details of Sherif.s sacking my my identity would be uncovered. But the real motive
and reasons would be discussed later in subsequent articles. To recognise his worth; just go through
the stories of the Daily Observer these days and compare the presentation; coverages and content of
the sheriff Bojang years.

Lamin Cham
Next to come to my mind is Lamin Cham also currently studying In London! This is the man who is
likely to blow my cover if he read this and is still with his good memories of events and people around
him. Here is a man who had dedicated his entire life to the Daily Obsever, spending weeks: days and
weekends across the Kombos and eslewhere and keeping late nights at work to feed his readers with
the latest local and international sports every single day of the calendre. Who would ever forget
waking upon every morning to see his smilling face at he top of the second to last page of the paper ,
loaded with last night's latest sports news on the GFA league and other sporting events. Together with
his team, they boosted sports coverage and undoubtedly contributed a great deal to today's vibrant
sports media . Infact there are very few young sports journalists in this country today who has not
pass under Cham's Observer Sports desk. Which Nawettan centres have Cham not visited in the
Gambia ? Who would forget his contributions on the GRSTS sports desk?

What did they pay him? Was he not removed unceremoniously and innocently and months later
subjected to a brutal torture for doing absolutely nothing with the Freedomnewspaper. A man who
does not even have the heart to harm an insect.

Let me now expand to deal with other journalist outside the Observer who has been maltreated .

Peter Gomez: Director Of West Coast
Next is Peter Gomez, another houeshold name in the Gambian media. Gomez is clearly the best brain
in broadcasting in the country at the moment. Having served Radio Gambia on a salary of less than
D200 from 1981 to 1992, Peter went to train and worked in Germany . Being a patriot , he returned
home and volunteered to work for his old institution on starvation wages despite the fact that he could
get three times more corresponding for international media.. He came back to Radio Gambia a
complete mordern broadcaster and made an instant impact. The good old News at Ten became
popular again while Sports Round Up was again the talking point in sports news reporting. Infact it
was not difficult to hear people saying that they listen to Radio Gambia only just to hear Peter Gomez.
What did they pay him? One day a man rode on a bicycle towards the station and as Peter, always
modest, was leaving the station, called him. ''Mr Gomez. I have a letter for you''. It was his dismissal
letter. Again no reason but all those who followed the Sharia Saga and Peters uncompromising
standse knew why he was sacked. Where is Peter Gomez now . Whose loss was his departure from
the station? The Gambia or Peter Gomez?

There are others like Peter Gomez's boss at Radio Gambia , Bora Mboge. From 1977 when he
completed his A levels, Bora dedicated his life to the Radio and unlike some of his colleagues never
left it for single day until June 2006 when he was unceremoniously booted out.

I can go and on as their dozens of other who have done great service and were even killed in service.
And the circumstances leading to these men's departure from their well cherished and indeed
competent services are the same; they are victims of sychophants, incompetent people who felt
jealous and insecure in front of these people. What is more sorrowful is that some of these destroyers
have gone on to be advisers of President Jammeh on media matters.

Just like other areas of today's Gambian society, anybody who wants to destroy the other only need
to have access to Jammeh... Knowing that Jammeh's moody type of person, his media advisers play
on his emotions to eliminate competent and harmless people from the good worjk they were doing.
Infact much of the bad publicity Jammeh is getting today is undeserved and unnecessary.

Through their lack of professionalism and jealousy The president's media advisers have managed to
eliminate competent media practioners who they feared could have risen to the very positions they are
today holding today as square pegs in round holes. Their incompetence can be traced in the numerous
media blunders that occured at the presidency simply because the Preseident does not have
competent media advisers . Those who surround him as media advisers or information ministers
lacked the dynamics and functions of mordern day media. As a result they do not know what
statement would make the President sound funny and ridiculous in the eyes of the world. The most
glaring example is the blunder with the Aids cure debacle.

His Information minister or press officer or director of TV should have advised him that even with all
his sincererity and confidence in having a cure, the World would not believe him. They should have
known that by calling the international media, they are helping to make the President a laughing stock
in the World because the media would feed on it as meat, knowing the funny and bizare nature it
would look and sound to the rest of the world.. And Jammeh does not not deserve this because no
matter what you think of him, he loves his people and country.

In the same vein much of the trouble with journalists which has brought a lot of bad image to the
regime are caused by these incompetent people surrounding the President. Journalists would not
prefer to go abroad if they don't fear arrest or have not seen their collegues arrested and tortured
Instead of engaging The President, interpreting and advising him on contemporary international
political , diplomatic and related news and media dynamics, these mediocres would rather pick up a
story in the local newspaper; rushed to the President to say, ''look at this article it is written by so and
so reporter. He is an opposition symphyatiser. I will make sure I close this paper or radio,' or deal
with this reporter'. If the President happens to be in a bad mood that day or is brooding over a
complex national matter, the next thing you hear is that that reporter is sacked or picked up. Then the
international media will obviously pick up the story. Before too long it is documented among a list of
human right abuses. All these can be avoided if the President sack these liars and employ
professionals.

Here are some ways I would recommend;
Mr President, replace your infromation Minister with competent media practioners who knows how
the world information system works and would be able counter, react and appropriately advise you
on matters dealing with the media. You will realise gains immediately.. Liberate the national airwaves,
including the GRTS TV and Radio by putting in competent managers and journalists to cover all that is
in the public interest. Lift the ban on radio stations and press houses that have been closed down .

Talk freely to journalists from all sides on national issues. The best way to kill a rumour and even a
true story is to make a public statement about it once and for all.

Last but not the least allow those journalists you may have inadvertently sent on exile, by closing their
offices or persecuting them. I sincerely believe that you do not mean any bad or evil to the nation but
you are not getting the image you deserve largely because of your handling of journalists affairs. They
are agents of news and if they are hurt,that is bound to be news. Of course they are not above the
law. Drop the case against Fatou Jaw Manneh and set Chief Manneh free if you are holding him;
apologise to the journalists both at home and abroad who were tortured by your state security agents.

......................................POEM
...........My Femininity
........................................By Aisha .............July 16th, 2008

The tops and tanks
Jeans and Apple bottoms
From New York to Milan
Paris to China
Designers are cracking their Heads up
The lines of Versace, Gucci, Armani, Coach and Fendi
My femininity is of unique taste and style.

Stabilizer of Masculinity
My femininity detoxify man's fluid
Making the world green
Saving man's soul from daily to weekly or rather monthly dialysis
Less he becomes gay.

Heads turn topsy turvy
The mere sight of my cleavage
Many a big man have cried
Rather of joy than sadness
Yet consoled by my femininity

Nine months loaded without help
The pains and trauma only I bear
The beauty of which keeps the world glowing
On my femininity men mount
On it they ride
The pleasure of which irresistible
Till climax they reach.

By Aisha

..................................News
DISTRAUGHT WORKERS AT GRTS RADIO
& TELEVISION CRY FOR HELP
............................Is Anyone Listening?
..........................By Solo, Banjul Correspondent..................July 14th, 2008
After the reports of injustice meted out to the junior staff of
the GRTS television as well as the act of nepotism on the side
of management which this reporter reported sometime ago,
the reporter again accidentally visited the GRTS Radio and
realized that the same cancer that infected GRTS TV has also
affected the Radio as well.

The GRTS Radio which is public property has been marred
by inefficient management accused by their own staff for
engaging in unjust treatment and favouritsm in work place.

Angered by what they perceived as the unjust treatment meted out to them and the unfavourable
working conditions they are being subjected to by their immediate superiors, the aggrieved or should I
say downtrodden staff at the state owned radio at mile 7 studios have written a letter and a resolution
to the GRTS management asking them to improve their working conditions.

This reporter overheard the staff complaining bitterly about a Serign Faye (manager at the radio) who
has decided to travel to Venezuela with SOS Fatim and a certain female reporter at the Television.

According to the utterances of the GRTS staff, Serign is the only one who travels outside the country
on behalf of the radio. This they considered as unfair because as they said he does not infact send any
reports when he travels. The junior staff observed and complained that they are called upon only when
it pertains to local coverage because as they unhappily complained internally, there is no money in
such coverages.They infact mentioned that the greedy manager has just returned from an International
trip before going to Venezuela. �Does he want to devour everything,� they asked.

The GRTS staff also protested vigorously that they too want to be given the opportunity to cover
President Jammeh; s trips abroad.

It is part of their complaints as well that mobile phone calls cannot be made inside the Newsroom and
this affects their work a great deal. They further indicated that if the Telephone lines in the Newsroom
at the TV can call mobile phones, then they too should also have the same facility.

The staff of the TV pointed out among other things that one of their colleagues who have spent a long
time at the Newsroom is yet to be staffed when some of her colleagues at the other units have already
been employed.

They indicated that if they should spend several hours (overtime) working, then they should be
provided with food.

The staffs who were venting their anger in solace argued that all those in the Newsroom have
supported the idea to write a petition to the management. They however said they have run out of
patience; that they will give little time to them to solve the problem, failing which they will know what
to do.

Even though this reporter had no business in the affair he was listening keenly to his aggrieved
colleagues� grievances and protestations and has observed that even those staff who are not known
for engaging in confrontation are now resolved to face their management.

The Department for state for communications should bear in mind that junior reporters or media
workers are also human beings who need promotion like anybody else. They should look into the
plight of the younger staff and indeed all other workers and make sure they are protected from selfish
and greedy scavengers. The only hope of these workers is rest on the Department to put things right.
This reporter hopes that somebody is listening to the cries and grievances of these helpless media
workers.

..................................................................POEM
..............I A WOMAN
...............................................By Aisah.................July 13th, 2008
Am divinely Beautiful yet extremely Smart
Am amazingly Intelligent yet courteously Bold
Am fiercely Ambitious yet persistently Determine
For I A Woman

Fragile many thought
Slim Skinny the features of my body
Strong and Independent
Courageously Excelling
For I A Woman

Many a Man have tried
A barrier yet unsuccessful
I unstoppable
For I A Woman

I a Thoroughbred
Combination of the best genes.
Blue Blood aloud i shout!
Pure streams through runs my veins
Wisdom and Integrity
Weapon of protection
I choose to compete in the Soccer (Men's') world
For I A Woman

Beauty the disease i spread
Smartness the infectious virus
That intrigue their imagination
Overwhelmed for I A Woman

Through tough Moments and Challenges
I learned life's best lessons
Will power, persistence and Courage
The strength of my mind
For I A Woman

Within the game of Survival (Life)
Comes the players
The greedy, the ruthless
The good, the bad
The ugly, the mean
The bold, the beautiful
The cheaters, the liars, the destroyers
The heartbreakers, the "heart makers"
From among the ladies and gentlemen
Yet bold and independent
I stand tall and confident with Head Up High
For I A woman, the last Standing against all odds!

By Aisha 7/11/08 3:30am

................................................................NEWS
...TWO PRINCIPLED JUDGES AT BENCH
......CONTROVERSIALLY SACKED
......................By Solo, Banjul Correspondent..................July 12th, 2008
Reports reaching this reporter spoke of controversial sackings of two
members of the Gambian judiciary, one B. Y. Camara, a High court
Judge and Justice Haddy Roche, both of them fired on Thursday 10th
July 2008.

Mr. Bakary Y. Camara who was recently promoted to a High Court
Judge only last week was said to be dismissed from his position as
High court judge, sources say.

It however remains in doubt as to what reason or reasons are for their
sacking. However the two judges are seen to be very steadfast in their
work thereby making the general public to have full confidence in them.

Justice Haddy Roche rose to prominence in the year 2000, when she acquitted and discharged Waka
Jagne, a Gambian music promoter on drug related offences. Sequel to this verdict, Haddy Roche who
was a magistrate at the time, was sacked by the state. Her sacking angered Justice Felix Lartey Chief
Justice at that time, who insisted that Roche be reinstated or else he would resign; because of his
stance that the state had no choice but to reinstate her.

She later resigned and worked as a solicitor before being appointed as a judge of the High Court.

It could be recalled that Justice Haddy Roche made series of controversial rulings against the state
such as dismissed the three count charges preferred by the state against Abdoulie Conteh, the
unlawfully sacked Mayor of KMC. She has also dismissed the stay of execution filed by the state after
Justice Ahmed Belgoreh delivered Judgment in the case of Pa Sallah Jeng, the unjustified and
unconstitutionally sacked mayor of Banjul which was considered by many as politically motivated. The
position of justice Belgoreh in that case was that the state should reinstate Pa Sallah Jeng to his
position, but the prosecutors at the state law office filed a motion for a stay of execution at the High
Court which Roche later dismissed.

B. Y. Camara is said to have been sacked for acquitting and discharging One Gibril Badgie who was
arraigned in court by the state for allegedly escaping from lawful custody in the U.S.A plus twenty-
one other charges including money laundering. The said Mr. Badgie was immediately arrested by the
state after his acquittal and discharge. Sources said B. Y. Camara collected his belongings at the High
Court on Thursday, the very day of his sacking.

...........................................................OPINION
Omar Jallow Reacts to Gambia Diaspora Empty Rhetoric
Ju..................................................July 12th, 2008
It has come to my belief that these so called cyber revolutionaries,
are nothing, but people who are hungry for power without putting
their money where their mouth is. I attended so many gatherings
where the average anti APRC do not even know what is the reason
for being so hateful to these noble citizens. They are anti anyone
who supports the regime or serve our great nation The Gambia.
It amazes me that these so called journalists; cyber angels, anti
APRC, or supporters of the regime are like lost drivers on a highway,
and do not want to stop in a gas station and ask for directions. No
wonder the global positioning system (GPS) was introduced to
society after being first used by the US Air Force IN 1967.

My point is that we the Diasporas are so loud in this modern age of the internet that we forget our
responsibilities as Ambassadors of our beloved nation mother Gambia. We sometimes get so
emotional and over excited that we forget the rest of the world is also reading and listening to these
unfounded stories on the front pages of the online papers daily. This rhetoric takes a tall on all
Gambians internally and externally.

I remember when NADD was formed few years ago, all these so called opposition and former regime
sympathizers in the city of Raleigh, I witnessed the optimism of these people to a level of hypertension
in believing that they will be the Chair persons of the inauguration of NADD if there is going to be a
victory in the Presidential elections. They were seriously disappointed simply because none of these
people were ready to commit their pockets, but rather were almost about to break the computer
monitors with their keyboard rhetoric. When I saw these party representatives for the first time,
OMAR JALLOW-PPP: WAA JUWARA-NDAM, HALIFA SALLAH-PDOIS, KEMESSENG
JAMMEH -UDP, and ABDOULIE SAINE as guests, I quickly noticed that there was no sincerity
there.

I remember reading Halifa Sallah's breakdown of the funds NADD received in the United States
which were "$2165, New York; $1000, Raleigh, $565 Seattle, Mr. K $300 for personal use, which I
put into the NADD account, Mr. J of Seattle and Mr. M of New York gave me combined of
$300.00 for personal use and I put that too into the NADD account and there was $200.00 sent from
Minnesota and was delivered by the father of the donor.

How can you waste so much money time and energy and supposed due diligence investigative
reports, and claim to pay all your reporters you have on the ground , but you cannot support these
candidates that you supposed to be in the same boat. How comes you are always claiming that you
are fighting a revolution? Give me a break. One more thing that surprises me is the City of Raleigh,
which is termed as the bastion of online opposition could only raised $565 of which $200 was
donated by a lady whose name is withheld and this is a fact. I was there to see all these
HOOPLA-HOOPLA stingy opposition supporters and they think they can win an election by acting
as NDANAAN, (someone worthy). No wonder it was a landslide victory for the APRC and trust me
the people voted for the right candidate.

In my opinion, there are only two or three candidates in the opposition that I respect so much for their
relented effort in what they believed. First, Waa Juwara (MBARODI) eventually made the best
decision of his political career, a smart and trustworthy thing to do when your ideas are identical to an
opponent's ideas. In my judgment this was a brilliant move which will benefit the Brikama area and the
whole country while he is still the leader of the National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM).

Second, Halifa Sallah with his charisma and intelligence, the government needs him inside and he need
to be inside while he still remain a PDOIS candidate. In my book he is an intellectual property.

Third, Omar Jallow (OJ), his bravery is very much appreciated and I agree with some of his
principles, but at the same time I do not sympathize with the PPP old jargons.

Back to the keyboard rhetoric, may I ask if there is any charitable organization for the people you
perceive as being tortured, killed or prosecuted in the Gambia and is anyone of you paying for
FATOU JAW MANNEH'S legal fees and bills; DEYDA HYDRA and OMAR BARROW'S
beloved families and welfares? If I am correct the amount raised for FATOU JAW MANNEH was
less than $150 according to the GAINAKO archives.

So tell me what kind of cyber revolution you are fighting when we are all here eating what we believe
to be the best food; driving the most expensive cars, and being the most OBESE people in the world
while those who are at home are struggling and fighting for what you consider as injustice. They are
there at home reading this irresponsible freedom of speech, and if you think that anyone of you will go
to the Gambia in the future and rule while the real revolutionaries are at home fighting for what you
people think as bad government, then my friends you need to wake up and drink a glass of cold
water. You should face reality and then you will know that you are sleeping just like me when I was
detained for those horrendous eight months sleeping fourteen hours a day.

On a final note I am immune to criticism, so I am ready for the target of a 50 CALIBER gun like the
one Ebrima Conteh is talking about. Be aware that I am always ready to take those shots for a
brother like Conteh, and you will never succeed in defeating the determination in me so forget it...

Good luck
Omar Jallow
omarr29@aol.com
919 539 2463

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