The Gambia Press Union has announced the lifting of its boycott on media coverage of events organised by the Ministry of Information and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority amid ongoing discussions over the proposed media regulations.

In a statement, the GPU said the decision was taken in good faith to support the multistakeholder dialogue on the regulations being convened by the Gambia Bar Association.

According to the union, the move is also reciprocal to PURA’s decision to place a technical pause on the development of the proposed regulations during the consultation process.

“The decision to pause the boycott for the duration of the Multistakeholder Dialogue on the Regulations convened by the Gambia Bar Association is based on the principles of good faith outlined in the Terms of Reference guiding the discussions,” the statement noted.

The GPU further urged all media houses and journalists across the country to resume coverage of activities and media engagements hosted by the Ministry of Information and PURA until further notice.

The boycott was initially declared by the union in response to concerns raised by journalists and media stakeholders over the proposed regulations, which many feared could negatively affect press freedom and media independence in The Gambia.

The latest development signals a temporary easing of tensions between the media fraternity and state institutions as dialogue efforts continue.

By Adama Makasuba