Tabora Bojang
Unique FM, a local radio station, has yesterday commenced a ten-day media capacity building project for their staff held at the Radio’s premises in Bakau Newtown.
The project, which was funded by the European Union and implemented through Unesco, is part of promoting and building the capacity of media practitioners of both the print and electronic in ensuring better and responsible journalism in the country.
Fifteen participants are undergoing the training and will be focussed on business and health reporting to be conducted by the GPU School of Journalism.
In his opening remarks, Papa M Njie the project manager of the EU – Unesco media capacity building project for the Gambian media houses, thanked the European Union and Unesco for coming up with the project which he said will go a long way in enhancing the work of journalists in The Gambia.
He stressed the importance and the critical role that the media play in the development of the country. He said it is the fourth estate and therefore plays a vital role in holding government accountable to the people and ensure transparency.
“Your job is to disseminate information and hold government accountable. So your arm (fourth estate) is very important in the development of the country,” he said.
“In any profession you have to start specialisation, you have to become somebody good at something and I am very pleased that you guys are going to train them on health and business reporting. Those things are very important,” he added.
Sang Mendy of the Gambia Press Union said it has been a pride for the School to be associated with this very important training.
“I am very sure that we at the GPU will give you all we can to make you better journalists especially in the areas that you have chosen to deliberate on during the course of these ten days,” Sang told the participants.
Cecil Campbell of Unique FM said she was optimistic that the training will prove vital for the participants and that they will apply what they learn during the course of the training.
