By Sainabou Sambou
In response to the escalating risks facing media practitioners, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) has successfully concluded a three-day intensive training workshop on physical and digital safety for journalists, supported by the international network IFEX.
The program, which brought together 20 journalists from print, broadcast, and online media outlets, aimed to equip participants with essential skills to protect themselves while reporting in an increasingly hostile environment.
Opening the sessions, GPU Program Manager for Human and Welfare, Saffiatou Colley, highlighted the urgent need to strengthen journalists’ safety as the media landscape grows more complex and dangerous. She emphasized that threats—both physical and online—have become a persistent challenge for Gambian journalists.
Digital safety trainer Madeline Ileleji led sessions focused on protecting online presence and professional communications. Participants received hands-on training in securing personal and work devices, tightening privacy settings on social media platforms, countering misinformation, and dealing with online harassment and abuse. Ileleji also stressed the importance of responsible digital practices to safeguard both personal safety and professional integrity.
GPU Secretary General Modou Joof described the training as a key component of a 12-month project dedicated to enhancing journalists’ physical and digital safety across the country. He noted that the initiative goes beyond capacity building, seeking to reduce tensions between the media, security forces, and political actors.
“The project includes direct engagements with political parties, security forces, and prosecutors, as well as the establishment of a safety monitoring system to track press freedom violations,” Joof said. He added that the GPU has also launched a legal support program to assist journalists facing arrest, detention, or other legal challenges.
Joof revealed that with the conclusion of this latest workshop, the GPU has now trained a total of 124 journalists through similar safety initiatives since 2015. The program forms part of broader efforts to create a safer working environment for media professionals, especially as the country prepares for upcoming national elections.
Participants expressed commitment to applying the knowledge gained, with many highlighting the practical value of the sessions in their daily work. The training is expected to contribute to a more secure and responsible media landscape in The Gambia, where journalists can operate without fear of harassment or violence.
The Gambia Press Union continues to play a leading role in advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists, underscoring the critical link between a safe media environment and a vibrant, democratic society.
