A four-day media capacity building programme on election reporting for Gambian journalists commenced Monday at the Gambia Press Union (GPU) secretariat along Garba Jahumpa Road in Bakau.

More that 20 journalists from both the print and electronic media are taking part in the programme, which is meant to enhance the skills of journalists (reporters and editors) working in the country, as well as strengthen the associations which represent them.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Alieu Famara Sagnia, country director of International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) revealed that the ICFJ with funding from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour launched in November 2010 a media capacity building programme in The Gambia to be conducted in conjunction with the GPU and the Foundation of Legal Aid, Research and Empowerment (FLARE).

He noted that GPU is the main trade union organisation for journalists working in The Gambia, while FLARE is registered as a human rights civil society organisation, which, among other things, conducts civil awareness programmes in the country.

Sagnia explained that ICFJ is a US-based non-profit, professional organisation, which works to promote quality journalism worldwide by offering hand-on training workshops, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to journalists and managers around the globe.

He further explained that the purpose of the workshop is to the train journalists and prepare the media houses they represent for effective coverage and reporting of the 24th November 2011 Presidential Elections, as well as future elections in the country.

For his part, the CEO of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Almamy Fanding Taal said that seeking knowledge is paramount and would always solve their problems. He urged media chiefs and reporters to ensure accurate reporting before, during and after elections. These moments he said, are crucial in any nation.

Emil Touray, president of the Gambia Press Union stated that this is not the first time GPU is organising an activity like this. While stressing that journalists have a great role to play in covering elections, and also have the right to report, he however, said they must make sure that whatever they report is inline with the constitution and the laws of the country.

He revealed that Section 207 of the Gambia Constitution stated that journalists have to serve as watchdog to government so that they can be held accountable.

The GPU prezy finally urged his colleagues not to publish hate reports during elections. Said Yusuf, CEO of Toplink and publisher of The Market Place Business magazine also spoke at the occasion.