By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has brought journalists and police officers together to discuss media safety, professional conduct and cooperation ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for 5 December 2026.
The dialogue, held on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, aimed to reduce tensions between journalists and law enforcement officers during election coverage and promote a safer environment for reporting.
The engagement comes as journalists and security officers prepare for an election period in which both groups will play important roles in keeping the public informed and maintaining order.
Speaking at the meeting, GPU President Isatou Keita said journalists and police officers were both on the front lines during elections, making their safety and cooperation essential.
“The Gambia, as a democratic country, will embark on an election on 5th December 2026, a process in which journalists and police officers play a key role,” she said.
“Journalists and police officers are on the front lines when it comes to elections. Their safety is paramount and must be protected. Today, journalists and police officers have been brought together to discuss issues related to the election and their safety,” Keita added.
She said journalists needed to understand their responsibilities when covering elections, including how to interact with security officers while carrying out their duties.
Keita said the meeting was also intended to help both groups understand their respective roles and responsibilities, particularly in situations where journalists and police officers might come into contact during election-related activities.
Nfamara Jobarteh, Commissioner for International Affairs at the Gambia Police Force, described the engagement as an opportunity for journalists and police officers to discuss concerns affecting their working relationship.
He stressed the importance of the media in keeping citizens informed throughout the electoral process and said police officers had a responsibility to protect journalists as they carried out their work.
“Journalists are highly important to the electoral process, as they inform and constantly update the public. Police officers must protect journalists and ensure they are comfortable in the course of their work,” Jobarteh said.
He reminded officers that protecting lives and property remained central to their duties, while urging journalists to maintain professional standards.
“As journalists, you are expected to operate professionally, and professionalism must be applied at all times,” he said.
Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay also addressed the meeting, highlighting the roles of journalists and police officers in the democratic process.
“Elections are defining moments for a nation; it is a time when citizens are given the opportunity to decide and elect their leaders. Therefore, a free and responsible media is vital, as it helps citizens distinguish between facts and rumors,” Ceesay said.
He said journalists had a responsibility to report fairly and present balanced accounts of events, while concerns raised by media practitioners should be heard and addressed.
“As a government, we want to support and promote the work of journalists,” he said.
Ceesay also urged journalists to ensure that their headlines accurately reflected the facts in their reports. He said professional journalism required both the courage to ask difficult questions and the discipline to verify information before publishing it.
The meeting forms part of efforts to encourage better relations between the media and law enforcement ahead of the December election, with the safety of journalists and the public’s access to reliable information among the issues discussed.