The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has expressed shock over an attempt by the leadership of the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to pressure The Republic into issuing a statement aimed at exonerating former Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou from any alleged wrongdoing reported in a story published by the investigative outlet on April 30, 2025.

The story, titled “The Assets of Gambia’s Former Dictator Go for a Song,” raised concerns over alleged lack of transparency, corruption, and conflict of interest in the sale of assets belonging to former president Yahya Jammeh.

According to the Union, in an apparent attempt to “protect the reputation of the former minister,” MCG’s Executive Secretary, Bai Emil Touray, invited Mustapha K. Darboe, Editor-in-Chief of The Republic, to a “meeting with the Media Council” scheduled for May 6, 2025, at the NHRC office in Kotu, without providing prior notice regarding the subject of the meeting.

“Together with the Chairperson of the MCG Governing Council, Baboucarr Cham, and the Chairperson of the NHRC, Emmanuel Daniel Joof, the three leaders, on behalf of Tambadou, laid out the following, seemingly based on public perception of the story and public opinion formed after its publication: that the story caused confusion, that it has been misunderstood as an indictment of ex–minister Tambadou; that Tambadou was only given five days to respond (implying The Republic acted unfairly); that The Republic failed to give due consideration to Tambadou’s viewpoint; that the alleged harm done to Tambadou is substantial; that rumors suggest Mustapha was paid to do the story; and that the timing was poor, considering Tambadou is a nominee for a judge position at the International Court of Justice.

“The MCG and NHRC leadership concluded by asking Mustapha K. Darboe to consider issuing a joint statement with Tambadou declaring that the story did not indict the former minister and that the public misunderstood it.” The Republic has rejected this proposal,” the Union stated.

The GPU maintained that The Republic’s report did not breach any ethical standards and is in accordance with the Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics for Journalists, which requires journalists to “uphold the public’s right to fair, accurate, and balanced information on issues and events of public interest.”

The Gambia Press Union therefore condemns the actions of the leadership of the MCG and NHRC for promoting an agenda that could compromise The Republic’s journalistic professionalism and ethical standards.

“It is rather unfortunate that the leadership of both the MCG and NHRC would even entertain this unacceptable agenda to have The Republic issue a joint statement with Tambadou to protect his reputation, despite their own claim that he was not indicted in the outlet’s story. To suggest that Mustapha may have been paid to produce the report is preposterous,” GPU Secretary General Modou S. Joof stated.

According to Mustapha K. Darboe, “the MCG and NHRC leadership also insinuated that, if The Republic fails to issue a joint statement with Tambadou, the former minister might consider legal action.” Joof responded: “What the MCG and NHRC leaders did amounts to intimidation of a journalist. It is highly unacceptable and a significant departure from the ideals on which these two institutions were founded.”

GPU President Isatou Keita added, “There is no basis for the concerns they have raised. No specific ethical violation has been identified in the report, and no formal ethical complaint has been filed with the Council. The involvement of the NHRC, which is not a member of the MCG, makes this even more troubling.”

“The suggestion to issue a joint statement with the subject of an investigative report, in a way that distorts the facts to shield him from accountability, is unheard of in journalism. It would constitute a breach of journalistic ethics, tarnish the reputation of The Republic, and erode public trust in their reporting,” Keita emphasized.

To preserve the independence, integrity, and sanctity of the MCG, an independent self-regulatory body established by the GPU in 2018, the GPU Board has decided to recommend to the MCG Governing Council that Executive Secretary Bai Emil Touray be relieved of his duties with immediate effect. He no longer upholds the values and principles upon which the MCG was founded and can no longer lead its secretariat. The GPU will work with the Governing Council to appoint a new Executive Secretary.

The GPU also called on the leadership of the MCG and NHRC to refrain from further acts of intimidation against Mustapha K. Darboe and The Republic. Any party with legitimate ethical concerns regarding The Republic’s report is advised to file a formal complaint with the Media Council’s Ethics Panel.

By Adama Makasuba