NEWS GRTS JOINS OBSERVER IN THE FRAY, AS THEY FIRED LAMIN CHAM BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 16, 2005 The management of Gambia Radio and Television Services GRTS, has terminated the services of Lamin Cham former Daily Observer Editor-in-Chief , who was working with the state TV on part time, with immediate effect, The ALLGAMBIAN online Newspaper can confirm. Cham's sacking letter which was signed by Borra Mboge, Director General of GRTS, announced the dismissal of the former TV sports analyst and reporter. Although no reasons were advanced for Cham's sacking, but GRTS insiders say Cham could not continue to work with the state controlled media, since Observer fired him. Our sources say both the GRTS and the Observer received daily orders from the State House in Banjul and as such the TV management could not go against directives given to them by State House authorities. It would be recalled that both Lamin Cham and the then Observer MD Momodou Sanyang were fired few weeks ago, amidst reports that they ran an economic piece meeting between President Jammeh and officials of the Chamber of Commerce, which seem to have angered the Gambian leader. Sources hinted that the sacking of the two media workers emanated from state house in Banjul. Many Observers who spoke to The ALLGAMBIAN said, they were not surprised by the GRTS decision to send Cham packing, in view of their similar editorial policy with the Observer, which is bent on supporting the current administration. GRTS insiders told The ALLGAMBIAN that Cham attempts to continue working with the state television were frustrated, as he was handed with marching orders the next day he showed up for work. "Bora Mboge told him that he cannot help with the current situation, as the orders for his sacking were above him. He personally acknowledge Lamin Cham's dedication to work. It was not an easy day at GRTS, as many staffers were shocked by the sacking of their colleague, who brought a lot of sense of humour at their sports editorial desk." said a GRTS insider. Interestingly continued our sources, Daily Observer's deputy board Chairperson, Momodou Sanyang, is also the GRTS program manager. It is reported that Sanyang who claimed to be an uncle to the President Yahya Jammeh, drafted Lamin Cham and Momodou Sanyang's sacking letters respectively. What is event however, the timing of the said sackings have raised eyes brows among The Gambian public, as many people concluded that Yahya Jammeh owns the Observer. Lamin Cham himself, is said to be avoiding the local press for comments on his sacking, as he is playing a low profile. Go To Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2004 AllGambian.Net. All Rights Reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤