Foday Gassama, nominated national assembly member, has clarified that his statement that the Barrow government should control social media was taken out of context.

The newly sworn parliamentarian faced backlash last week from the Gambian public on his suggestion for a China styled control of social media . Many Gambians took to social media to rebuke his statement branding it “stupid and dangerous”.

“Calling on the government to emulate China in suppressing freedom of speech is beyond ridiculous,” said Coach Pa Samba Jow, a prominent Gambian social media commentator.

However Gassama told The Fatu Network on Monday that his comment was taken out of context and what he really meant was that Gambians should use social media platforms to promote the development of the country.

“I only hear about it. It’s crazy but for me I’m very careful when I’m talking. The only time I gave an interview was when I was sworn in. Since then I have not taken part in any interview.

“What I said was very clear. I told them that everyone who uses social media including myself should put it to good use, in the interest of The Gambia. That was the statement I said. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

“I said when it’s put into good use, it’s fine because it has contributed a lot when Jammeh was here. I said we should put it to good use than to castigate each other.

“When you say control it’s for those people who misuse. Those people are not contributing towards the development of The Gambia. So I said they should control people that are misusing it. They are abusing it. That’s the reality.”

Gassama, a staunch ally of President Barrow, recently replaced Ya Kumba Jaiteh as a nominated national assembly. The political upstart has found himself in a spot of bother after he misspoke during his swearing in ceremony.