US Hails Gambian Press Freedom and Expands Media Exchange Programme

By Dawda Baldeh

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting media development in The Gambia, praising the nation’s robust press freedom while announcing an expansion of professional exchange programmes for local journalists.

Speaking at a media forum hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Banjul in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Center (FPC), Chargé d’Affaires Robert Anderson described journalists as vital partners in democracy.

“This year marks the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, and we are celebrating this milestone with our partners around the world, including The Gambia,” Anderson said, highlighting that the six-decade diplomatic relationship is rooted in shared democratic values. “Free people, informed by a free press, are the foundation of a just, democratic and prosperous society,” he added.

Anderson commended the state of journalism in the country, noting: “The good news, at least here in The Gambia, is that you have a very strong and free press. You have a government that allows you to criticise it, and that’s accepted because it’s in the best interest of the country.”

He praised the “very informed and very analytical” work of Gambian reporters who have participated in Foreign Press Center reporting tours and urged media organisations to collaborate on future training in digital media and professional development. “We’re always open to other media outlets. These are opportunities we would love to support for you and your organisations,” Anderson added.

Joining virtually from Washington, FPC Director Jeffrey Weinschenker stressed the value of international reporting exchanges in countering misinformation.

“Authentic, fact-based, on-the-ground reporting remains critical to cutting through all the noise and keeping our citizens informed,” Weinschenker said.

He commended Gambian journalists for their active involvement in the programme, which has connected foreign reporters with U.S. policymakers since 1946.

“I was pleased, and admittedly surprised, to see how many participants we’ve had from The Gambia over the past five years,” Weinschenker noted, citing reporter Kaddy Jawo’s reporting tour on the U.S.-Mexico border as a prime example. “The long journeys and time spent away from family are a testament to the commitment and professionalism our programme participants have.”

Delivering the keynote address, Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay described journalism as the cornerstone of democratic governance while warning of modern threats posed by artificial intelligence, misinformation, and disinformation.

“Today’s event is much more than a gathering of media professionals. It is a celebration of ideas, knowledge exchange and our shared belief that a free, independent and responsible press is essential to every thriving democracy,” Ceesay said.

He urged reporters to uphold high ethical standards and critical thinking. “These realities demand journalists who are not only skilled writers and storytellers, but also critical thinkers, ethical professionals, fact-checkers and defenders of truth,” Ceesay stated, emphasizing the government’s support for press freedom: “Today, I can boldly say that no single journalist is in prison simply for doing his or her job.”

Representing the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Juldeh Njie, Programme Officer for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, expressed gratitude for the embassy’s continued investment.

“Strong democracies rely on informed citizens, and informed citizens rely on a media sector that is professional, ethical, independent and committed to the truth,” Njie said. She noted that international exchanges expose reporters to global standards, adding that “investing in journalists strengthens individual capacities and contributes to building resilient media institutions capable of serving the public interest.”

The event concluded with testimonials from Gambian journalists who shared how FPC tours broadened their perspectives on critical issues, including migration, youth leadership, and the 2024 U.S. presidential election.