Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Three Gambian journalists have been selected for a prestigious regional fellowship aimed at strengthening investigative reporting and accountability journalism across West Africa.
Ousman A. Marong, General Manager of Vibes FM, Nyima Sillah of Malagen Online Media, and Mustapha K. Darboe of The Republic are among a cohort of journalists chosen for the six-month programme under the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) SAIL+ Project.
The fellowship will bring together media professionals from eight West African countries, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, to undergo intensive training in investigative journalism, solutions journalism, and fact-checking.
The initiative is supported by Free Press Unlimited and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The program begins with a three-day in-person training session, with English-speaking participants convening in Accra while their French-speaking counterparts will meet in Dakar. This will be followed by six months of mentorship and financial support to enable fellows to undertake in-depth investigative projects.
Speaking on his selection, Marong described the opportunity as a milestone for both his career and the broader media landscape in The Gambia.
He said the fellowship aligns with his ambition to strengthen impactful journalism, particularly in the area of solutions reporting, which focuses on identifying and analyzing responses to societal challenges.
“In the realm of investigative journalism, it’s not about hunting for witches; it’s about holding those in power accountable,” he said, stressing the growing need for rigorous and responsible reporting in The Gambia and across the continent.
Marong also highlighted his commitment to elevating Vibes FM’s profile through the fellowship, noting that the training will contribute to producing stories that examine not only problems but also workable solutions.
Nyima Sillah also welcomed her selection, describing the fellowship as a significant opportunity to deepen her investigative reporting skills.
She underscored the importance of the program’s long-term mentorship component, noting that investigative journalism requires sustained guidance and practical experience.
“Continuous support and feedback are crucial for turning new skills into real progress,” she said, adding that the regional nature of the fellowship will foster collaboration and shared learning among journalists.
Sillah expressed interest in strengthening her expertise in fact-checking and evidence-based reporting, emphasizing the role of credible journalism in building public trust and driving meaningful change.
The CJID, a pan-African media development organization founded in 2014, works to promote democracy through investigative journalism, civic technology, and policy engagement. Its platforms include DUBAWA, DAIDAC, UDEME, Campus Reporter, and the Press Attack Tracker.
The selection of the three journalists marks a notable development for The Gambia’s media sector, as practitioners continue to gain regional recognition and access to capacity-building opportunities aimed at enhancing professional standards and public accountability reporting.
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