The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has urged leaders of political parties to make greater efforts to promote and protect the safety of journalists covering political events, including press conferences, candidate nominations, and campaign rallies.
The call comes at the back of a One-day Engagement with Political Parties on the Safety of Journalists held on July 22, 2026 with support from IFEX, the global network promoting and defending freedom of expression.
According to the GPU, about 20 cases of physical attacks on journalists between 2017 and 2026 were perpetrated by either the police or by political party militants from the ruling party and the opposition.
“Our role as the fourth estate especially during elections, is to inform citizens, scrutinise candidates and their manifestos, provide platforms for debate, counter misleading narratives, and to report results accurately,” GPU Board Treasurer, Meita Touray, said.
“For journalists to continue performing this constitutional duty, they must be able to work in an environment free from intimidation, threats, harassment, and violence.”
Mrs. Touray said that the GPU remain deeply concerned by the recurring incidents of physical, verbal, and online attacks against media practitioners in the country.
“These attacks are mostly prevalent during election seasons when political environment becomes charged and journalists often become the target,” she said. “We therefore urge all political party leaders to support our efforts in advocating for a safer political environment for Journalists and condemning violence in all forms whenever it occurs,” Ms. Touray added.
Samba Baldeh, Co-Chairperson of the Inter-Party Committee (IPC) of The Gambia, a political convergence and platform for all registered political parties, acknowledged that journalists are essential to credible elections and announced the IPC’s intention to strengthen protections for journalists through its revised Code of Conduct.
“Journalists are not enemies. The greatest threat to a politician is not a journalist with a microphone, but a citizen who has no information,” Baldeh said. “When you attack a journalist, you attack the voter’s right to know.”
Mr. Baldeh also urged the GPU to develop a “Media Safety Pledge” to be signed by political party leaders and called for closer collaboration between the IPC and the GPU throughout the election period.
The engagement forms part of the 12-month project, “Enhancing Physical and Digital Safety of Journalists in The Gambia”, launched in January 2026 to promote safer working environment for journalists while improving relations between the media, politicians and security forces during the electoral cycle.
The engagement provided a platform for constructive dialogue on fostering a peaceful political environment where journalists can carry out their professional duties freely, safely and without intimidation, according to the GPU.
