Jollof News journalist Mr Momodou Justice Darboe, who was scheduled to appear before Banjul Magistrate’s Court this morning, 20th April 2026, to face charges of common nuisance, has been postponed indefinitely.

More in the report.

The Online Media Association of The Gambia (GOMA) is urging the Gambia Police Force to drop its common nuisance charge against Jollof News journalist Momodou Justice Darboe. Darboe has been charged with common nuisance by the police and is expected in court on Monday, 20th April 2026.

More in the press release.

In March 2026, the Ministry of Information issued an infographic claiming that the government is “strengthening laws to protect press freedom and journalists. It is also implementing reforms recommended by the TRRC. In addition, it works with the Gambia Press Union to promote a safer environment for journalists.”

However, Dr Ceesay’s recent introduction of the Broadcasting and Online Content Regulations 2026 has revealed a deep division with the media, and our feature article underlines that the TRRC success claims are not as they appear.

The Gambia Online Media Association issued a statement thanking its members for the successful boycott of the Ministry of Information and PURA’s consultation on the regulations which they believe will usher in an era of state-controlled media.

More in the press release.

As the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) prepares to conclude its public consultation today, 10th April 2026, the Gambia Press Union, the media and civil society organisations have issued a statement rejecting the government’s proposals and consultation.

According to the statement, the regulations will give the state the authority to decide who becomes a journalist underpinned by a registration regime allowing the state to suspend and revoke licenses for media platforms and social media users.

More in this statement.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has launched three major media policy documents aimed at strengthening professionalism, ethics, and accountability in journalism, with its President, Ms Isatou Keita, urging journalists to strictly comply with the new frameworks to rebuild and safeguard public trust in the media.

More in the news report.

Civil society organisations WAVE and ICTJ held a two-day youth and media event on transitional justice and social cohesion. The event, organised by the Women’s Association for Victims Empowerment (WAVE), was held on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th, 2025, at the NaNA Conference Center in Bakau.
More in the news report.

The Vice President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Sheriff Saidykhan, has cautioned journalists about the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), despite its significant potential to improve journalism. More in this news report.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape institutions worldwide, including journalism, The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is taking proactive steps to guide its responsible use in the media. With support from International IDEA, the union has embarked on a review of its Cherno Jallow Code of Conduct for Journalists, aiming at setting ethical standards for AI usage, among emerging issues. More in the news report.

In a bid to enhance transparency and deepen public understanding of its work, The Gambia’s National Audit Office (NAO) held a two-day engagement with journalists from across the country, aiming to strengthen collaboration and improve media coverage of public sector audits. The workshop, held from 30th to 31st July 2025 in Bakadaji, brought together reporters from television, radio, print, and online platforms to explore the NAO’s mandate, governance structure, and audit processes.

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.