By Omar Bah
A training programme for 20 Gambian journalists on investigative journalism began Monday in Senegambia.
It is being conducted by the Gambia Press Union, GPU in partnership with German NGO Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
This is the second batch of training on investigative journalism GPU organised for Gambian journalists since August 2019.
The Gambia is emerging from two decades of dictatorship that has seriously blighted the media and media workers.
GPU President, Sheriff Bojang Jr said: “This is the best time to train people on investigative journalism given that [The] Gambia is emerging from a dictatorship, and money is coming into the country. People need to know where these monies are going.
“We hope as a union that you media men and women who are opportune to be here, you break barriers, you become the change agents and hold our government to account when lies are told. You should be able to challenge them with the skills you acquire here.”
The deputy director of GRTS, Abdoulie Gassama, said investigative journalism is “not witch-hunting or a way to settle scores with other people,” as perceived by some.
According to him, investigative journalists are not also expected to be police officers who look at how a crime is investigated.
“You have to be yourself, you have to have the journalistic background and make sure that you do the right thing. In all the years I worked as a journalist, I have not seen any serious investigative journalism in this country,” he added.
The 5-day training is being conducted by journalism trainer and freelance South African journalist Raymond Joseph, who is also a fact-checking journalist.
