The Gambia launches media training for officials and journalists

The Gambia has initiated two separate training programs aimed at improving communication and media integrity ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.

In Banjul, forty communication officers from various government ministries and agencies, including the Gambia Immigration Department, began a six-day intensive program on strategic communication. Supported by the EU-UNDP GREAT project and led by the ministries of Interior and Justice, the training focuses on crisis management, digital content creation, and combating disinformation to enhance transparency and public trust.

Simultaneously, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Gambia Press Union (GPU) launched a three-day training for 25 journalists. Funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), this program addresses election reporting, journalist safety, and the mitigation of hate speech and disinformation. Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay emphasized the importance of accuracy over speed to prevent the spread of fabricated political statements that could undermine public confidence during the upcoming electoral cycle.