Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – In a significant move to strengthen relations with the Gambian media and affirm his government’s commitment to press freedom, President Adama Barrow has agreed to drop a civil lawsuit against The Voice newspaper. This decision was reached during a high-level closed-door meeting held at the Statehouse on Monday, where the President met with representatives from the Gambia Press Union (GPU), the Media Council of The Gambia, the Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Women Journalists Association.
The media delegation, led by GPU President Muhammed MS Bah, highlighted a series of pressing issues affecting the media landscape in The Gambia, particularly the recent surge in legal actions against journalists and media houses. Among their primary concerns were ongoing civil and criminal cases targeting *The Voice* newspaper, with three journalists currently facing charges initiated by both President Barrow and the Minister of Environment.
Following appeals from the media delegation, President Barrow announced his decision to withdraw his suit against *The Voice*, emphasizing that it was never his intention to prosecute journalists or suppress press freedoms. He expressed that his administration values the role of the media in promoting democracy and upholding the rule of law. However, he also called on journalists to practice responsibility and adhere to journalistic ethics, stressing the importance of accuracy to maintain national stability.
The President’s gesture was met with appreciation from the media representatives, who described it as a “giant step” in reinforcing The Gambia’s reputation as a champion of press freedom. They welcomed the opportunity for deeper collaboration with the government, seeing the move as a positive step toward fostering mutual understanding and respect between the government and the media.
In a statement, the management of The Voice newspaper expressed gratitude for the President’s willingness to resolve the issue amicably, thanking him for prioritizing a constructive relationship with the press. The dialogue underscored the shared goal of advancing the nation’s democratic values and highlighted the importance of open communication between government and media in achieving sustainable development for Gambian society.
This development comes amid rising concerns over press freedom in The Gambia and marks a renewed commitment by President Barrow to support a media environment conducive to independent journalism.
