Indeed, indeed Joe. Both you and our good sister Sai are right on spot.
True, it is not good to slacken our pace. But if a GPU USA is formed and we
have only very few of the journalists in this country joining and virtually
none of us getting adequately proactive, then the organization is likely to
fall into redundancy. So if we all want this to work, we all need to get
active. Thanks.
Baba
>From: Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [>-<] Yero, What about you?
>Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:00:43 +0000
>
>All, please pardon me for poking my nose is this discussion for I am
>neither a journalist nor a publisher. However, my short life in this world
>knows that without a professional organization, our brothers and sisters in
>the field, however meaning, will not be taken seriously in the fight to
>stem the abuse of journalists in the Gambia. What do I mean by this? Five
>years ago or there about, a suggestion was made to include the plight of
>journalists in the Safe The Gambia Fund. However, a majority of the
>contributors thought that, that would dilute/spread the effort too thin. A
>group of us, all none journalists, except for Baba Galleh, decided to start
>a fund for journalists, after I believe Ebrima Sillah made a plea following
>an abuse of one journalist by the system, however, I don't recall the name
>of the victim. These five individuals pledged a monthly sum for that
>purpose. For years, we tried to encourage our brothers in the field to
>join and take ownership of the effort, but it fell on deaf ears. Then two
>years or so, ago, after yet another abuse, the issue was brought up again
>and with the help of folks, I compiled a list of more than fifty Gambian
>journalist on the ground and in the diaspora, 80% of whom reside in the
>US/EU. We sent countless invitations and not even seven ever responded.
>All this while we see our brothers in the field waging paper wars amongst
>themselves and who has the biggest readership.
>
>The original contributors to the fund agreed to grandfather the remaining
>funds to the current structure. All on that list are aware of everything
>I'm describing. I volunteered to be their interim Treasurer until they
>register the org. and run their own affairs. Baba, Coach, Fatou Manneh,
>and few other spent time drafting and adopted the constitution and Coach
>was working on having the org. registered as a not-for-profit professional
>org. During the election of officers, folks ignored the hell Fatou Ja,
>Coach, and Baba's appeals and that also goes for contributing to the fund.
>Madi Ceesay is perfectly aware of the situation, for he was copied on all
>the mails that these individuals sent out for months, with no response from
>the overwhelming majority. The truth is, some of us are too petty and that
>pettiness interfered with even joining something that is to their own
>benefit. How many of our Gambian journalists can stand up and say they
>ever participated in the current structure? I can count those that labored
>and sadly, they are not more than my ten fingers.
>
>Folks, what you belong, you should not wait to be invited. We have this
>thing about a "red carpet" that is very disturbing and frustrated. Aside
>from informing one that an org. is being formed on their behalf, what more
>does one need? The truth is those that joined were not given honey or
>sweetener of any form. They heard the call and stood up to be counted and
>that counts for a lot, folks. I knew that this day will come and we will
>yet, again find ourselves, requesting folks to do for us that which we
>neglected to do. "Kou Amut Rongne Dangaa Tella Joy". As a people, we need
>to stop the free rider syndrome and always leave the few to lift the load
>for the many. Baba, Couch, Fatou, and others that stood up to be counted
>should be padded on the back and for others to stand up with them. I hope
>it does not take another five years for our brothers and sisters in the
>field to realize that "Ndimbal Natcha Feka Lohoi Borum". Askani Saaku
>Ndimbal Lun Warra Wessoy La. That is among the main reasons why Africa is
>where it is today. This commentary is general and not intended for any
>personality or ego, but to set the record in its proper context.
>
>So, our brothers and sisters in the field, you are once more provided
>lemons, are you going to make lemonade, or are you going to pretend you do
>not hear the call until another need falls on your lap? It's your call,
>but which ever route you choose, the rubber will meet the Cement, soon, for
>the offspring of Idi Amin, in Yaya Jammeh, is still around. Please do not
>think he has no time to maul a couple of journalists, between Tuesday and
>Thursday, as he speeds up the deaths of the HIV/AIDS sufferers. The
>murderer is smart for the wrong reasons, he knows he can't put them in gas
>chambers or firing squad, so he threatens them to not take their anti-viral
>meds, the very existing hope that buy them time and improve their quality
>of life. While the unaware and sycophants sing his praises for doing that
>which the "White Man" can't do, these patients are dropping like flies, and
>in between, other Gambians including journalists are game. I believe a
>word to the wise is sufficient.
>
>Chi Jaama
>
>Joe
>
>
>>From: Aji Sainabou Jobe <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: [>-<] Yero, What about you?
>>Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:51:09 +0000
>>
>>
>>Mr Yero Jallow, I have a few questions for you.
>>
>>Are you a member of the GPU? If yes, which branch do you belong to?
>>Have you ever contributed towards the upkeep of the GPU or journalist on
>>the ground?
>>
>>Because as a journalist and a publisher for that matter, I expect you to
>>be one and to make some contribution. I do not think it is fair at all to
>>bother Coach and Baba because I believe they are still doing whatever they
>>can for the sustenance of this organisation which you call INACTIVE. If
>>everybody was like you (i.e. if you're not a member), I don't think there
>>will be any GPU-USA in the first place let alone an active one. Coach and
>>Baba are just like you, they were not in the court room when the verdict
>>was delivered and there was no way whatsoever for them to do anything
>>about it at that particular time. So I think it is unfair to accuse them
>>of abandoning the struggle or whatsoever.
>>
>>I think we should start taking responsibilities and stop pointing fingers
>>at other people. Just recently, I saw a list of contributions for Fatou
>>Jaw Manneh and these people you are trying to discredit, their names were
>>there. But I never saw your name.
>>
>>Even though the internal GPU have paid the money, they still need a re
>>imbursement for it because, as you know, there is no government subsidy
>>they receive like some of their counterparts in the rest of the World. So,
>>please, do something because I believe Baba, Coach and others have done
>>their best.
>>
>>Sai Jobe
>>
>>
>> You wrote:
>>
>>Mr. Sarr, The guy was released already. He is a free man today. The GPU in
>>the Gambia did a nice job. I am not sure however how they were able to
>>come up with the money. Couch or Uncle Demba might have the latest updates
>>to furnish for the forum. Here are the sad pics though. Rough times they
>>call it. L. Fatty was being whisked away to mile two central prison. It's
>>truly emotional. The van like the wollofs will say "Yalla tereh." [May God
>>forbid]
>>
>>I agree with you when we challenge people on a particular issue, we need
>>to constantly update them as to fully engage them. I am a believer of an
>>active external GPU. I am sure Couch and his predecessor, Galleh did a lot
>>of efforts in the past. It is discouraging when the load is left on one
>>individual, but one should never abandon the struggle. I therefore make a
>>plea with them to help activate this great entity. Always, y, agog
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