EU Delegation to The Gambia launches report on Freedom of Expression and Media Pluralism

The Gambia, February 2018 – The European Union Delegation and Media4Democracy presented an analysis of freedom of expression and the state of the media in The Gambia at an event on 7 February. This report came one year after a democratically elected government took power with a strong commitment to media pluralism and access to information.

Freedom of Expression and Media Pluralism in The Gambia is the result of a month of cross-country field research in October – November 2017. It presents an overview of the information ecosystem through which Gambians receive and exchange information and opinions at a critical moment in their history when access to accurate information is vital to ensure citizen rights and engagement. The purpose of this report is to inform the EU Delegation, EU Member States and media stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges facing freedom of expression in this phase of democratic transition.

The launch meeting was opened by Ambassador Attila Lajos of the EU Delegation to The Gambia.  The report itself will be presented by international media expert, Ian Noble, who conducted the analysis in collaboration with Media4Democracy DEVCO Technical Assistance Facility.

Demba A. Jawo, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, also spoke at the event, as well as Emil Touray, President of the Gambia Press Union.  The event was attended by a wide range of representatives from civil society, media and governmental and non-governmental organisations. It to provided a platform for open discussions on the issues and priorities for consolidating freedom of expression and media diversity in the Gambia.

This assessment was facilitated by the DEVCO Media4Democracy Technical Assistance Facility that provides support to EU Delegations worldwide to implement actions in support of freedom of expression, access to information and media pluralism.  This work is focused on supporting enhanced Delegation implementation of the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline.

Media4Democracy is managed by a core team based in Brussels under the management of the consortium lead Particip GmbH, and is backed by some of the most important European organisations in the field of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information: Article19, Deutsche Welle Akademie, European Partnership for Democracy, Free Press Unlimited and the Thomson Foundation.

Download the report:  Freedom of Expression and Media Pluralism in The Gambia