Five Journalists Leave for Further Parliamentary Training

The spirit of the training, as explained by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, is in fulfilment of the need to enhance effective and accurate reporting of National Assembly proceedings and activities.

Among the topics and the activities of the course are; General Principles of Reporting, critical thinking, Legal and Ethical Implications of Media Coverage of Parliament, Precision Journalism, Investigation Reporting, News Analysis, The 2ndEstate under Constitutional Rule, Working Knowledge of the English Language and Feature Writing.

They will also receive training on Reporting from Parliament for State Print Media, State Television and Radio as well as Reporting from Parliament for Private Print Media, Television and Radio.

As part of the training, the journalists will also make a visit to the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam, field trips to witness parliamentary sessions and also field trips some Print Media houses in Ghana.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony for the departing journalists at the National Assembly Chambers, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay, advised the journalists to be good ambassadors of The Gambia during their stay in Ghana and be serious with their books to come back home with flying colours as expected.

She added that for the National Assembly to divert these funds to train journalist from both state and private media Houses signals that the National Assembly has recognised the role of the media and considered it very important.

Speaking earlier, the member for Basse, Honourable Sellu Bah, said that it is recently that people started knowing about the National Assembly, thanks to the media. He maintained that the media should work hand in hand with National Assembly.

“Any meaningful nation relies on a very vibrant media. Your profession is a very noble one,” he said.

Kebba Dibba of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) gave the vote of thanks. He thanked the National Assembly, especially, its Speaker, for giving this rare opportunity to journalists to be professionally trained. He also urged the National Assembly to use its influence for the establishment of a journalism training institution in the country.