Assan NI Martin, a legal practitioner and former magistrate, has observed that journalists can dictate and inform people on global matters.

He also asserted that millions of people today depend on the media for information as to what is going on around the world. "Therefore, messages carried by the journalists at courts must be accurate and balanced," he posited. Lawyer Martin made these remarks yesterday at the start of a three-day NATCON/UNESCO-funded workshop for court reporters. The training was organised by the Media Agenda and held at the Gambia Press Union headquarters in Bakau.

Lawyer Martin told young journalists that they should always endeavour to maintain a good image of their media house as well as maintain its integrity. He observed that a reporter should therefore show a high standard of care in their work, especially on court reporting.

"Although, there exists the basic freedom of expression in the UDHR, African Charter and other legal instruments, care must be made to the limitation to such freedom under the law," he pointed out.  

Media practitioners like legal and medical practitioners, he went on, are all governed by their code of conduct. Section 25 of the Constitution of The Gambia, he told the reporters, explains that freedom of expression includes the freedom of the media. However, he added that Section 25(4) of the same constitution also states that such freedom should not affect national security and public order.

Lawyer Matin then informed journalist that they can attend court proceedings like the general public, but was quick to quote Section 61 of the Criminal Procedure Code of The Gambia that says that the adjudicating officer or Magistrate can allow the public access to the Courts but on the same token can also decide not to allow the public or the press in the courtroom. He further told journalists that they should be mindful when reporting on issues dealing with children, noting that a reporter is not allowed to publish the names of child offenders.

He finally told them to bear in mind that "words" can be very dangerous and that they must very well understand any word that they put down for publication as well as where to use it.