Email Gambia News to a friend
Print version
Comment on This Gambia News

Gambia News: Mr. Sam Sarr Calls for Objectivity And Balance Reporting

The editor of the Foroyaa Newspaper, Sam Sarr, has emphasized the need for objective and balanced reporting by the journalists. He made these remarks at The Gambia College on Saturday, 9 February, while delivering lectures on a day long training on news writing organized by the information and press club of The Gambia College.

Mr. Sarr informed the participants that journalism is a field that requires special training and skills for one to effectively execute his/her duties. "You don't just jump and start to write news." No! You must acquire skills and training that will serve as a guide for one to gather "appropriate and relevant information that are significant to the life of the readership".

"Reveal the truth, be factual and balance in your reporting and avoid unfounded speculations and you must not have any hidden motive or ill feelings in your report. The good reports you make will always unite people and bring development in the country".

He, therefore, urged the participants to make the best use of this opportunity they have. He said when they were going to school, they were not fortunate to benefit from this kind of training.

In his welcoming remarks, the president of The Gambia College Students Union, Musa Y. Camara, underscored the significance of the training, noting that the skills of the English specialists and aspiring journalists may want to utilize it for double or multiple purposes as they leave this great institution".

Camara further revealed that this training was in line with their action plan to improve the academic excellence of the students, by providing them with learning materials that enhance success and also prepare the students on their academic life and be skillful in other fields of work.

"I am optimistic that the training would be a gateway of improving the level of information dissemination and handling within our union and beyond".

The training was attended by members of the information and press club of the Gambia College, Press Club of Nusrat Senior Secondary School, Ming Daw and Brikama Senior Secondary Technical Schools, and the Major Students of English.

Musa Fofana, the students' Union information minister, delivered the closing remarks.