Editorial

Commitment and hard work is the foundation of sustainable development in this 21st century of scientific  and technological advancement covering every major profession including mass communication, where journalists stand out as the main stakeholders.

The importance of education and constant research cannot be overemphasised in the journalism profession. It is  because of this that our young, visionary and dynamic journalists under the the umbrella of Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) recently embarked on a mission not only to improve the welfare of members, but also acquaint themselves with the code of conduct and laws  governing the  media profession in The Gambia and beyond.

Thus, shortly after visiting media houses in the country to discuss with media chiefs the need to  improve the working conditions of young journalists,  YJAG decided to conduct a one-day training for journalists drawn from both the print and electronic media over the weekend at the Yahya Jammeh Joint Officer’s Mess in Kotu, which provided the platform for the likes of the chief justice of The Gambia Emmanuel Agim to inspire the joungesters to pursue their profession with a sense of responsibility, commitment, hard work and  patriotism.

We agree with the remarks made by Chief Justice Agim that there is a need for journalists to be always guided by the code of conduct and laws governing the operations of the profession as part of efforts geared torwards achieving the socio-economic, human and political development of the country and the globe at large equiped with the knowledge that journalists are stakeholders in the development of the country.

Members of YJAG deserve commendation for their foresight and commitment to the journalism profession in the country. To bring out the best in ourselves and others, we must be ready to embrace change through constant education as a life-long process in-line with the spirit and letter of our development blueprint contained in the Vision 2020 and Millennium Development Goals.