By Ebrima Mbaye
In a landmark move to elevate the standards of journalism in The Gambia, The Alkamba Times (TAT) hosted its inaugural in-house training for reporters on Saturday at the Gambia Press Union (GPU) Secretariat in Fajara. The day-long event, themed “Empowering Ethical Journalism,” focused on equipping TAT’s newsroom with the tools, skills, and ethical grounding needed to deliver accurate, fair, and impactful reporting.
The training marks a significant step for TAT, a media outlet founded with a vision to inform, inspire, and empower communities through balanced and truthful journalism. The initiative underscores TAT’s commitment to fostering a newsroom culture rooted in professionalism and integrity, at a time when ethical journalism is critical to combating misinformation and serving the public interest.
In a speech on behalf of TAT’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Sainey M.K. Marenah, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yaya B. Baldeh set the tone for the event. Marenah’s address highlighted the outlet’s mission and the weighty responsibility journalists carry. “Today’s training is not just a workshop; it is a call to action,” the speech read. “It is our investment in ourselves, our readers, and the future of journalism in The Gambia. Journalism is more than a profession; it is a calling. With that calling comes an obligation to act with integrity, fairness, and courage.”
Marenah outlined four pillars guiding TAT’s newsroom: accuracy, fairness, independence, and accountability. He urged reporters to pursue the truth relentlessly, amplify marginalized voices, and resist political or commercial external pressures. These principles, he emphasized, are the foundation of TAT’s commitment to serving its audience with credible and impactful reporting.
Modou S. Joof, Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and commendable effort to strengthen journalistic standards. “Capacity building is a core mandate of the GPU, alongside advocating for journalists’ welfare,” Joof said. “The better trained your staff are, the better they deliver. In-house training like this is essential to keep journalists grounded in their responsibilities.” He also praised TAT for developing its editorial policy, hoping other media houses would follow suit.
The training featured a lineup of seasoned journalists and media experts who led practical, hands-on sessions tailored to the needs of TAT’s reporters. Alieu Famara Sagnia, a member of TAT’s Editorial Board with over 40 years of media experience, opened the program with a session on Ethical Journalism and Reporting. Sagnia stressed the importance of aligning journalistic practices with legal and ethical standards. “Whatever you do, consider the laws of the land first, and then ethics. That’s how you stay safe and credible,” he advised.
Ebrima Jatta, the Managing Editor at Gambia Radio and Television Services, led a dynamic session on Advanced Reporting and Fact-Checking. He described fact-checking as the cornerstone of modern journalism, guiding reporters through the critical steps of investigative reporting and source verification. Jatta’s session equipped participants with practical tools to ensure accuracy and credibility in their work, addressing the growing challenges of misinformation in the digital age.
Veteran journalists Famara Fofana and Saikou Suwareh Jabai facilitated engaging discussions on Digital Journalism and Storytelling. They emphasized the evolving media landscape and the need for reporters to adapt to new technologies and audience expectations. “To remain relevant, you must have technical skills and know how to structure your stories well,” Fofana said, advocating for the use of the inverted pyramid style and ethical storytelling practices. The duo also highlighted the importance of multimedia tools, encouraging reporters to integrate visuals, audio, and digital formats to enhance their stories’ impact.
Ousman Jah, TAT’s Website Manager, closed the training by presenting content standards for the outlet’s website. He underscored the importance of pairing high-quality visuals with well-crafted stories to maximize audience engagement and maintain the platform’s professional image.
The event concluded with virtual remarks from Kristina Marenah, Global President of The Alkamba Times, who joined from Seattle. She expressed pride in the team’s dedication and noted that TAT’s credibility has earned it a loyal following among Gambians in the diaspora. “The Alkamba Times is a trusted voice because of this team’s hard work and integrity,” she said.
Representing TAT’s national correspondents, reporter Fatou Dahaba delivered the vote of thanks. “We are grateful to management for this opportunity,” she said. “We’ve learned a lot today and will put it into practice.
We look forward to more trainings like this.”
The Alkamba Times’ first in-house training represents a pivotal moment for the outlet as it builds a newsroom culture grounded in ethics, accuracy, and professionalism. By investing in its reporters’ development, TAT reinforces its mission to be a reliable and impactful voice for the people of The Gambia and beyond. As the media landscape evolves, initiatives like this signal a promising future for ethical journalism in the region.
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