By Aminata S Kuyateh
The EU-Unesco funded training continues in the Gamia, with City Limits Radio becoming the latest media entity to kick-start the training of its workers.
The EU funded Unesco programme is designed to contribute to better democratic governance through improving freedom of the press and the quality of information available to the population.
It is being held at the City Limits Radio premises in Westfield.
The objectives of the training are to sharpen the communication skills of the participants, enabling them to become effective communicators when interpreting the constitution of the Gambia in three local languages namely Mandinka, Wolof and Fula.
It is also designed to provide basic orientation about the constitution and facilitate its better understanding by the population.
Mr Boubacarr Cham, the general manager of City Limits said: “We are also expected to play an adversarial role, acting as watch dogs and to expose violation of moral and social order although challenges are huge enough to all a proper and regular monitoring of Government behaviour or excesses that may be out of the ordinary.”
He added “didactically, the courses shall be inspired by the UNESCO civic education for media professional training manual of professor Faction Banda In that, chapter one (1), where the rationales behind renewing interest on civic education, the learning outcomes, training methods”.
“In chapter two (2), where the focus shall be put on media, citizenry, participation and democracy, the key component of the course shall be based on civic journalism; experience has proven in fact, that the soul and sprit of democracy is nurtured by civism , the responsible awareness of the rights and duties of citizens that lead to the effective exercise of power by the people and for the people” he said.
Hon. Halifa Sallah, NAM’ for serrekunda said “information is the foundation of the society; our constitution is rooting in advocacy journalism that’s why section 207 advance that the media must uproot fundamental objectives of the constitution”.
Also speaking Modou Njie, coordinator EU, UNESCO capacity building for media houses project said “journalists play a crucial role in social development journalist are the voice of the voiceless.
