In 2023, The Gambia ranked 5th in Africa and 46th globally, positioned between the United States and South Korea. However, this year, the country has fallen to 11th place, marking a setback for the ambitious goal set by the new Information Minister to make The Gambia the top-ranked country in Africa for press freedom. Achieving this target will require strong political will and critical legal reforms to surpass Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other African nations. More on this in the full report.

Press freedom is experiencing a worrying decline in many African nations. The region records the highest number of countries with declining economic indicators as 80 per cent have seen their economic scores drop. In many cases, media ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few private groups close to those in power and individuals with political interests, which compromises newsrooms’ editorial independence. More in the press release.

The Access to Information (ATI) Commission met with President Adama Barrow at State House on 18th March 2025, to discuss efforts to improve public access to information. While progress has been made, challenges remain in fully enforcing the Access to Information Act. More in the publication.

In a country where women’s voices in media remain underrepresented, the Women Journalists Association of The Gambia (WoJAG) is taking a stand. Through a two-day training program that concluded on 28th February 2025, the organization has empowered 25 female journalists with the tools to report on gender-sensitive issues, particularly SGBV, with professionalism and ethical responsibility. More in the story.

During the first press conference of the year 2025, Minister for Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, announced that the government will launch a campaign titled “Countering Misinformation and Disinformation.” More in the report.

The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, has announced plans to meet the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and local media practitioners to discuss the future of media subvention. More in the news report.