Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The new draft constitution currently under debate in The Gambia has sparked controversy by omitting a key provision from the 2020 draft that allowed both natural and juristic persons, regardless of nationality, the right to own and operate media outlets in the country. The 2024 draft, however, restricts this right exclusively to Gambians, meaning that only citizens will be permitted to own media houses under the proposed legal framework.

The government has justified this significant change, citing concerns about national security, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment for Gambians. In an explanatory note accompanying the draft, the government stated, “The 2024 draft limits the right to own and operate media to only Gambians, whether natural or juristic, because in the context of a small nation like The Gambia, restricting media ownership to citizens helps promote national security, preserve cultural integrity, ensure economic gains for locals, build public trust, and enhance regulatory efficiency.”

The government further emphasized that limiting media ownership to Gambians is seen as a measure to protect the national sovereignty of the country. The note added, “Confining the ownership and operation of media houses to Gambians is a measure to protect the national sovereignty of The Gambia and will also ensure that the media reflect and promote local content from a balanced and objective view, then report news about The Gambia from an indigenous perspective.”

The government believes that this provision will not only safeguard national interests but also foster economic empowerment by creating opportunities for Gambians to invest in the media sector. As the debate over the 2024 draft constitution continues, this provision is likely to remain a focal point of discussion, with implications for the future of media ownership and freedom in The Gambia.