Dear editor,

As the old adage goes, “united we stand stronger; divided, we fall and break”. Those who heed this mantra are reaping the benefits of unity, while those who downplay it are now facing the consequences of disunity.

This brings me to the current challenges facing Gambian media, which continues to fray day by day. The so-called elites fear a united media, but when journalists are disunited, the media can become a laughing stock.

This is precisely the situation in Gambian media. Our lack of unity is evident, especially when individual journalists or established news outlets are threatened by powerful figures in society.

In my few years as a journalist in the Gambian media, I have seen first-hand how disunited we are as a profession—and the toll it takes. The only time we seem to stand with our colleagues is through condemnation on social media. While I acknowledge the importance of this support, it shouldn’t stop there.

Take, for example, the lawsuit against the editors of the Voice Newspaper, which has now reached beyond our borders. When these two were arrested and charged, only a handful of journalists showed up at the police station to express their solidarity. Many resorted to social media to condemn the arrests.

In a truly united media fraternity, swift and actionable responses could have emerged to challenge the manner in which these journalists were arrested and charged. It’s time for the Gambian media to recognise the strength in unity and act collectively to safeguard our profession.

Adama Makasuba, 

senior reporter at Gambiana