Bala, it would be better if you read beyond the headline and out of context
narration of Mr Mbai. A collective gathering of Gambians, an event Mr Mbai
neglected to give a voice to, he shouldn't be the media man he portrays who
should causes any obstruction at that event. He shouldn't even attempt to
diminish the values Gambians gain from socialising together. I guess Mr
Mbai had some drinks there, may be some food. Let him tell us now, the good
experiences he gain from the event. Did he meet new people, did hear any
thing good, did he enjoy the company of fellow Gambians etc. Optimism, Why
can't naturised Gambian-Americans share the American optimism when it comes
to Gambian matters instead of the continous negativity and pettiness?? Why..
Let us not rush with onesided stories...Mr Mbai live in the place where
the event was held, did he tell that to Gambians? The group was not
promoted by Mr Mbai, but now, he is attempting to throw dirt on the good
brothers, who financed along others a Gambian event. Can you see the double
standard of Mr Mbai? His only interest is get lousy news for gossip greedy
Gambians. Let us be serious some times.
SUntou

On Wed, May 22, 2013 at 4:21 PM, bala ceesay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>  This is sad indeed. What's the difference between their attitude towards
> Mr Mbai and what's happening in The Gambia today? Smh!!!
> BalaMusa
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 22, 2013, at 10:06 AM, "C. Omar Kebbeh" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>  Raleigh Conference Diary Part One!
> Raleigh Conference Diary Part One!
>
> Something strange occurred during the Gambian conference held in the
> Triangle over the weekend. Guess what? A key member of the organizers of
> the conference Mr. Alkali Conteh rudely interrupted a Freedom Radio
> interview we had with Ousainanou Darboe, the leader of Gambia’s main
> opposition group—the United Democratic Party (UDP).  Mr. Conteh emerged
> from the conference main hall at the start of the interview to ask Mr.
> Darboe to discontinue the interview without allowing the Freedom Editor to
> finish his interview with Mr. Darboe. Mr. Darboe was at the hallway at the
> time speaking with Freedom Radio’s Pa Nderry M’Bai during their short
> break. Mr. Darboe’s brother Yaya Darboe, and a handful of conference
> delegates witnessed the fracas. Mr. Conteh confronted Mr. Darboe by telling
> him “Ngataa” in Mandingka—meaning lets go. He persistently asked Lawyer
> Darboe to discontinue the interview.
>
> It is our fervent belief that Mr. Conteh’s behavior was totally uncalled
> for and reprehensible to say the least. How can Mr. Conteh, of all people
> treat a journalist with contempt and utter disrespect? This is not how we
> conduct business in the United States. The press is an important pillar in
> any democratic dispensation.
>
> We expect Mr. Conteh to at least show some degree of respect to Ousainanou
> Darboe, but Conteh was behaving as if he owns the conference. He escorted
> Mr. Darboe back to the conference hall—leaving delegates to wonder what
> type of creature is this guy, who invited delegates from Africa, Europe,
> and America for unity meeting to shape the future of the Gambia.
>
> I must say that Mr. Conteh has lost my respect due to his comportment on
> the day in question. He should have at least allow the interview to proceed
> without resorting to prematurely terminating it.
>
> This was not the end of the story.  Mr. Conteh also verbally reprimanded
> me on the phone, when I ran a piece about the first day opening of the
> conference, in which Ousainanou Darboe and Hamat Bah had a heated argument
> during the session. Mr. Conteh phoned me and started accusing me of trying
> to sabotage the meeting. He claimed that the Freedom Newspaper reportage
> did not truly reflect what was said at the meeting. He even went as far as
> saying that I should have heeded to appeals launched by some delegates,
> including some members of the media not to expose some of the proceedings
> of the meeting in the public domain, in which some of them believed might
> have undermined the purpose of the conference if reported, or aired on
> radio.
>
> Alkali got it all wrong when he tried to lecture me about responsible
> journalism. Since we failed to meet his expectations, he thinks that we
> have failed his own definition of responsible journalism. Mr. Conteh, our
> job is bigger than an individual interest. Public interest supersedes
> personal, or organizational interest.
>
> My buddy Lamin Tunkara too phoned to register his displeasure about the
> Freedom reportage. Mr. Tunkara was of the view that the Freedom reportage
> was irrelevant. That we should have reported the story differently than
> focusing on an argument Hamat Bah had with Ousainanou Darboe. I was having
> a company when they called. I couldn’t speak to them because of the people
> around at the time.
>
> Both Alkali Conteh and Lamin Tunkara should understand that they have no
> right to dictate, or interfere with the work of the media. If they are
> aggrieved with our reportage, they are free to send in a rejoinder. We will
> gladly accord them with the right to reply to our reportage. We must say
> that we appreciate their feedbacks, but blaming a journalist for honestly,
> and accurately reporting about what transpired at a given conference is
> hypocritical to say the least.
>
> Honestly speaking, I was shocked when some of my own colleagues in the
> media business tried to prevail on me not to report about some of the
> things that were said at the meeting by some delegates. The media should
> remain impartial no matter what. We should be able to draw a fine line
> between the work of an independent journalist, political activist, and a
> party supporter. The purpose of the conference would be defeated if the
> media is afraid to accurately relate what was said in an open forum.
>
> After all, it is not the business of the media to protect the interest of
> the opposition. The opposition should safeguard its own interest. A
> journalist who sought to promote the agenda of one political grouping and
> antagonizes the other side of the political spectrum risk losing his, or
> her credibility in the eyes of the public.  I do not need to lecture anyone
> about fair and balanced journalism. We should be able to freely and
> honestly report issues without taking sides. That’s what honest journalism
> is all about.
>
> I have been called names for merely discharging my duty as a journalist. I
> have no regrets for giving the Raleigh conference the coverage it deserved.
> We are not here to serve any group’s interest. We are here for the public
> interest. Alkali Conteh should get that. Thanks for your attention.
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