The Gambia Online Media Association (GOMA) has strongly urged the government to immediately withdraw the proposed National Press Accreditation Policy and the Broadcasting and Online Content Regulations, 2025, warning that the drafts threaten to replace the country’s hard-won self-regulatory media framework with state-controlled oversight.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 19th March 2026, GOMA said it had carefully reviewed the two documents currently under consultation by the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services (MoIMBS). The association concluded that the proposals would dismantle existing self-regulation mechanisms and hand core functions to government institutions.
“The Gambian media ecosystem is presently anchored in self-regulation, with the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG) providing oversight on ethics and accountability and the Gambia Press Union (GPU) serving as the principal body for journalist accreditation,” the statement noted. “These mechanisms are not incidental; they are the result of hard-earned reforms and reflect internationally recognised best practices.”
GOMA argued that the drafts would effectively transfer accreditation, monitoring, and disciplinary powers to state-controlled structures, raising serious concerns about media independence and the risk of political interference. While licensing already exists for traditional radio, television, and print outlets, extending state authority into the online sphere — globally recognised as a space for greater freedom — poses profound dangers of overreach, the group said.
The association, established in February 2026 to promote ethics, freedom, and responsibility in online journalism, reaffirmed its commitment to responsible practice but rejected any move that undermines independence.
GOMA highlighted internal inconsistencies in the drafts, particularly the conflicting roles assigned to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). While the accreditation policy envisions a multi-stakeholder body, the regulations grant PURA sweeping powers under ministerial oversight, including the authority to register journalists, social media users with significant public reach (SPURs), and online operators.
Key concerns include provisions requiring journalists, media operators, and SPURs to register with PURA, with the regulator empowered to suspend or cancel registrations, prohibit unlicensed online broadcasting, and recommend non-renewal to the minister. The regulations also propose that PURA establish a Complaints Committee that excludes key stakeholders such as the GPU and MCG.
The statement stressed that monitoring and moderation should remain with the MCG, which currently serves as a neutral platform where government and media stakeholders can resolve complaints objectively.
“Replacing the MCG wholesale is a non-starter at this stage. The dangers of replacing the MCG are significant because it currently represents a middle ground,” GOMA said.
The association declared full support for the Gambia Press Union’s recent position paper and opposed any attempt to usurp the mandates of the GPU and MCG. It insisted that accreditation and content oversight should not be vested in a single state authority, such as PURA.
GOMA further noted that State House and other official events continue to handle their own accreditation without objection, and called on all stakeholders to remain fair and non-partisan in media invitations and access.
The group warned that the proposed framework would not only affect professional journalists but also countless citizens working in the broader online space.
GOMA urged the Ministry of Information to abort the policy and regulations entirely and instead engage in genuine dialogue to strengthen the existing self-regulatory system.
The statement was signed by GOMA’s interim president, Yusef Taylor.
The development adds to growing criticism from media stakeholders, including former GPU presidents and other groups, who have described the drafts as a potential regression for press freedom in The Gambia.
