The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has called for the immediate dismissal of Bai Emil Touray, Executive Secretary of the Media Council of The Gambia (MCG), accusing him of undermining the council’s values. The GPU Board announced its recommendation to the MCG Governing Council, stating that Touray “no longer represents the principles upon which the MCG was established” and cannot continue leading its secretariat. The GPU pledged to collaborate with the council to appoint a new executive secretary.
The controversy stems from Touray’s actions in a meeting on May 6, 2025, at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Kotu. Touray, alongside MCG Governing Council Chairperson Baboucarr Cham and NHRC Chairperson Emmanuel Daniel Joof, summoned Mustapha K. Darboe, Editor-in-Chief of The Republic, to discuss a story about former Justice Minister Tambadou. The meeting, held without prior notice of its purpose, aimed to address public perceptions of the article, which some viewed as damaging to Tambadou’s reputation, especially as he is a nominee for a judgeship at the International Court of Justice.
The trio claimed the story caused confusion, was misunderstood as an indictment of Tambadou, and suggested the Republic was unfair by not giving Tambadou adequate time to respond. They also alleged rumors that Darboe was paid to publish the story and urged him to issue a joint statement with Tambadou clarifying that the article did not indict the former minister. The Republic rejected the proposal.
The GPU condemned the meeting as an act of intimidation, asserting that The Republic’s story adhered to ethical standards outlined in the Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics for Journalists. The union emphasized that the article upheld the public’s right to fair, accurate, and balanced information. It urged the MCG and NHRC leadership to refrain from further intimidating Darboe or *The Republic* and advised that any ethical concerns be addressed through the Media Council’s Ethics Panel.
As the GPU pushes for Touray’s removal, the incident has sparked debate about press freedom and the role of regulatory bodies in The Gambia. The MCG Governing Council has yet to respond to the GPU’s recommendation, leaving Touray’s fate uncertain as the nation watches closely.
