Taranga FM, a privately -owned local language radio station which was shut down on January 13, 2011, has reopened after the Gambian authorities issued a warning to the station’s management to stop reviewing what they described as “opposition” newspapers.
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s sources reported that the station is now back on the air without its popular “Xibari besbi”, news and current affairs programme that reviewed newspapers in the Wolof language for most uneducated Gambians.
The sources said the government’s directive was contained in a letter to the management of the station and signed on behalf of H. M Tambedou, Secretary General of the office of President Yahya Jammeh.
“The letter advised Taranga FM (management) to desist from reviewing opposition linked newspapers, which were alleged to be sponsored by foreign donors and that the President has given the station a second chance.” the sources said.
The sources added that the station could only review news from the government-controlled Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS).