Fatou Touray, Chief Executive Officer of the Gambian media platform Kerr Fatou, and her team have been subjected to online harassment by supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) over allegations of biased political coverage.
According to local media reports, some UDP supporters accused Touray and her outlet of giving favourable coverage to Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, following his departure from the UDP and the launch of his political movement, the United Movement for Change (UMC). Bensouda’s new movement is widely perceived as a rival to the UDP, prompting heightened political exchanges.
UDP supporters critical of Kerr Fatou alleged that the platform’s reporting was biased, triggering a wave of hostile online commentary. In a live interview aired on her outlet, Touray described the reactions as “bullying tactics” and rejected the allegations of compromised integrity.
She also noted that she had lost contracts worth 15 million dalasi (approximately US$200,000) under the previous Barrow-led administration because of public perceptions that her media outlet was pro-UDP. She further disclosed that some of the UDP supporters resorted to gender-based insults, including references to her as a “barren woman.”
In response to the controversy, the UDP leadership issued a statement on its official Facebook page condemning what it termed “politics of personal attacks.” The party stated that Touray is not a member of the UDP and acknowledged that Kerr Fatou had provided the party with a platform to communicate its message even during times when the state broadcaster denied the party airtime. The statement further recognised the media outlet’s right to extend similar access to other political actors, including rival parties, as consistent with democratic principles.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemns the targeting of Fatou Touray and her team and welcomes the UDP’s public denunciation of personal attacks. MFWA urges political actors and their supporters to refrain from intimidation, harassment and gender-based abuse directed at journalists. The Foundation calls on all stakeholders to uphold press freedom and ensure that media professionals are able to perform their duties without fear of reprisal.
