By Sainabou Sambou
Media professionals, government officials, and civil society leaders convened at the Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day. The day focused on the transformative yet perilous impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on journalism. Under the global theme “Reporting in the Brave New World,” Gambia Press Union (GPU) President Isatou Keita delivered a stark warning about rising threats to press freedom, from repressive laws and poor working conditions to AI-driven risks like misinformation and job losses.
In her keynote address, Keita underscored the importance of upholding freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She highlighted how AI is reshaping journalism, offering tools to enhance creativity and information access while simultaneously threatening credibility through misinformation, unfair use of journalists’ content, and automation that could displace media workers. “AI is a double-edged sword,” Keita said, urging vigilance to protect journalistic integrity.
Adopting the local theme “Media Freedom and Responsibility,” the GPU called for ethical journalism amid declining professional standards, sensationalism, plagiarism, and political bias in Gambian media. Keita criticized media owners for underpaying staff and prioritizing unqualified hires, which she said erodes public trust. She also pointed to The Gambia’s stagnant ranking—58th globally and 10th in Africa—on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, attributing it to recent journalist arrests, restrictive laws, and inadequate support for media sustainability.
Keita sharply condemned the National Assembly’s passage of the Criminal Offences Bill, which includes a “false publication” clause seen as a tool to silence dissent. “These laws intimidate journalists into self-censorship,” she warned, also flagging the proposed Cybercrime Bill, 2023, as a threat to investigative journalism. Despite court rulings supporting press freedom, she noted persistent challenges, including physical assaults, online harassment, and selective government advertising. Keita renewed calls for a transparent media subvention scheme and urged media houses to adopt the GPU’s collective bargaining agreement to improve conditions, especially for young and female journalists.
Minister of Information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay reflected on the digital transformation of Gambia’s media landscape, recalling a time when accessing information meant trekking to libraries. Today, he said, AI and digital tools enable instant news dissemination, enhancing press freedom by speeding up reporting. However, he cautioned against fake news, job losses, and “lazy journalism” driven by technology misuse. Ceesay insisted that press freedom faces no threat under President Adama Barrow’s administration, citing Gambia’s improved global rankings. He urged collaboration among the government, GPU, and media to combat disinformation and bolster ethics.
Media consultant Lamin Jahateh highlighted AI’s revolutionary impact on newsrooms. He recalled the laborious days of manual transcription 15 years ago, contrasting them with AI tools that now transcribe audio, summarize texts, and analyze datasets in seconds. He said AI also enables real-time translation and personalized news delivery, noting its role in fact-checking to counter disinformation. However, Jahateh warned that AI threatens jobs, as tools can now edit stories and replace tasks traditionally done by editors. “Journalists must diversify skills to survive,” he said, advocating for “backpack journalism” that combines multimedia expertise.
Jahateh also raised concerns about AI’s impact on media revenue, explaining how tools like Microsoft Copilot allow users to access news without visiting media websites, cutting ad income. “This is dangerous for media sustainability,” he said, urging outlets to adapt to AI-driven changes.
The event underscored the delicate balance between embracing AI’s potential and mitigating its risks. As Gambia navigates this “brave new world,” Keita’s call for stronger protections for journalists, fair laws, and ethical standards resonated as a rallying cry for a resilient media landscape in the face of technological and political challenges.
