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Dakar, Senegal, January 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gambian Journalists Launch Online Radio
A group of Gambian media practitioners in Dakar, Senegal, and The Gambia have recently launched an online radio that features mainly issues affecting The Gambia. Radio Alternative Voice, found at www.radioavg.com on the World Wide Web, offers programmes in English, Mandinka and Wollof.
Journalist Ebrima Sillah interviews colleague Sarjo Camara
With the current political atmosphere in The Gambia, which is characterised by arrests, threats, unlawful detentions, closures and burning of media houses, eavesdropping by security agents, suppression of information and a general sense of fear, the Dakar-based journalists, with their counter-parts in Banjul, felt it necessary to initiate an online media with the sole objective of providing the Gambian people with an alternative means of accessing impartial and independent information. Access to such information, according to these journalists, will enable the citizens of The Gambia to make informed choices on the political, economic, social and cultural well-being of their country.
Journalist M. L. Jaiteh interviews collegue Sheriff Bojang Jr.
In order to reach out to the larger Gambian communities especially those without Internet access or facilities, local radio stations in Senegal whose signals reach The Gambia will relay programmes. The programmes will also be downloaded onto CDs and tapes for free distribution across The Gambia and elsewhere.
Journalists Agnes John and M.L. Jaiteh at work
The Radio AVG project aims to monitor and report on human rights issues in The Gambia and promote dialogue and respect for the right to information and the free exchange of knowledge. The project also aims to reinforce and complement civil society activities in areas of information dissemination and sharing.
.JPG)
USA's NPR journalist Doug Mitchell (standing) during training workshop for Gambian journalists in Dakar
Amie Joof, General Coordinator of the project said, "this is like a dream come true! I'm excited about the online radio and I hope it gives more voice to Gambians. We cannot continue to live in a country where divergent views cannot be expressed. Media establishments such as Citizen FM have been closed down physically, but the voice of the people will continue to be heard".
For Sam Sarr, Banjul Coordinator of the Radio AVG project, the online radio "will give Gambians an alternative source of news since the media stations in the country are either state-owned and do not give impartial news items or those privately-owned do not broadcast news at all. So this project will serve that particular purpose".
Radio AVG project is part of the ongoing campaign for the defence and promotion of freedom of expression and press freedom in The Gambia.
Radio AVG is initiated in partnership with International Media Support (IMS), Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Network Media Programme of the Open Society Institute (OSI), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Africa Regional Office, Foroyaa and Inter Africa Network for Women, Media, Gender Equity and Development (FAMEDEV).
For more information about AVG please contact:
Amie Joof
FAMEDEV
Telephone: +221 33 867 55 98
Email: Famedev@gmail.com
URL: http://www.radioavg.com
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