The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) on Friday held a successful fundraising dance with the popular Senegalese drummer Sheikh Faal and his Group at the Buffer Zone in Tallinding.

The fundraising was meant to gather funds for the association to organize capacity building and training for its members. In his welcoming remarks, Assan Sallah, the president of YJAG welcomed all those said the fundraising is meant for the association to raise funds for the training of its members. According to the YJAG president, since the formation of the association, their main priority has been capacity building, adding that the proceeds of the fundraising will be utilized effectively. 

He used the opportunity to remind the young journalists of their primary role and responsibility in promoting responsible journalism at all times and further urged them to contribute effectively towards national development. He explained that the association has a membership roll of almost one hundred which includes young journalists, student journalists and aspiring journalists from both the print and electronic media in the country. Sallah finally thanked all those who supported them and all those who honoured their invitations.

Nfamara Jawneh, the former president of YJAG, thanked the incumbent president of YJAG for a job well-done. He added that the day is meant to rejoice among young journalists. He said, as young journalists we cannot realize our achievements without funds and that people cannot continue to be giving us money always; instead we should also try and do something on our own. “We encourage each and everyone to continue patronizing the association,” he said.

Jawneh called on the members to remain united as one family, adding that YJAG will continue to work with the new leadership of the Gambia Press Union. Honourable Seedy Njie, nominated National Assembly Member, the guest speaker of the occasion, commended the association for their efforts in national development, adding that since the inception of the association, it has endeavoured to bring together all the young journalists in the country under one umbrella.

He said unity is strength and that the fundraising will help among other things to coordinate and facilitate effectively all the activities of the association.  Hon. Njie called on the young journalists to be law abiding and become responsible journalists. “Journalists in society or nation are the fourth estate of the government. You are partners in development and we are proud as politicians to be associated with you because whatever development we have, we rely on you people to ensure that the information to reaches the public on time,” he stated. He added that journalists should therefore be very much responsible in the executing their duties.

He urged the young journalists to leave by the ethics of journalism, adding that whatever information journalists publish, it must be reliable, factual and authentic and it should not be bias. “You must see governments as partners in development in any country and it is the responsibility of the journalists to safeguard the interest of the country and the peace and stability we have,” he concluded.

Marcel Mendy, the executive secretary of the National Youth Council, commended YJAG for organizing this important activity, adding that it is important in the sense that it provides opportunity for young people to come together to dialogue and socialize.

It is fundamental in helping us to develop as young people and as human beings. He added that the role of a journalist is overwhelmingly important, while urging young journalists to execute their duties with professionalism. Baboucarr Ceesay, the 1st vice president of the Gambia Press Union also commended YJAG for the initiative. He the reminded journalists of their roles in society and assured them of the GPU’s support and collaboration.