The Economic and Financial Stakeholders Coalition for Responsible Journalism (EFSCRJ) has issued a call for transparency and accountability over media contracts awarded by the Gambian government. The group questioned the recent disclosure that the contract with Sparkling Multimedia Agency had been terminated four and a half months ago, in September 2024, without any prior public communication.
In a strongly-worded statement, EFSCRJ highlighted several concerns: “Why was this information not communicated to the public by then but until today? What penalties have been imposed on this media agency for failing to deliver as per the contract? How much was paid to this agency before the contract was terminated? What is the state of performance of the other contractors? How long shall this contract last?”
The coalition criticized the government’s approach to disseminating information through selective media outlets instead of utilizing existing state-owned channels like the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and The Gambia Daily.
“There is a state media in this country called GRTS and a state newspaper called The Gambia Daily. These media outlets should be primary avenues through which the Government shares information with the public about its policies, programs, and activities,” the statement read.
EFSCRJ also called for greater inclusion of independent media in government communications. The coalition emphasized the importance of public institutions maintaining functional websites and active social media channels, coupled with accessible information officers to interface with journalists and the public.
Challenging the rationale for allocating funds to private agencies instead of bolstering state-owned media, the group stated: “Why was the money for this contract not invested in GRTS and The Gambia Daily to perform their functions even better?”
The EFSCRJ urged the Ministry of Information to provide comprehensive details on the terms of reference, decision-making processes, and payments related to the media contracts. They also demanded a transparent evaluation of the impact of these contracts to ensure value for money.
In conclusion, the coalition reiterated the need for the government to prioritize transparency and accountability, emphasizing that open communication is essential to fostering trust between the government and its citizens.
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