BAD JOURNALISM AT THE POINT NEWSPAPER!!!

“ There is room in this great and growing city for a journal that is not only cheap but bright, not only bright but large…that will expose all fraud and sham, fight for all public evils and abuses-that will serve and battle for the people.” Joseph Pulitzer

We expect the Point Editor Pap Saine to adhere to the above journalistic principles. The Point Newspaper is bigger than Pap Saine. National interest supersedes the interest of Pap Saine or a Government Minister. For the Point to be considered credible and independent, it must jealously safeguard its battered image.

Honestly speaking, Pap Saine has lowered the prestige of the Point Newspaper. This is not the Point Newspaper we used to work for. During our watch, independent journalism was observed, but today objectivity is a thing of the past at the Point. Pap is using his position to harass poor reporters. There is no more editorial confidentiality. Lead stories are discussed in the streets of Banjul before they even hit the newsstand.

“ In objective journalism, which distinguishes factual reports from opinion columns, modern reporters strive to maintain a neutral attitude the issue or even they cover; they also search out competing points of view among the sources for a story.” Richard Campbell.

The late Deyda Hydara was a journalist to the core. He treats his reporters with respect and humility. He knows what it takes to be a responsible journalist.

 Unlike Saine, Hydara never compromises his independence as a journalist. Hydara tells the truth as he sees it. But Saine is a man of double standards. He wants to appease Government officials at the same time posing as an independent journalist.

Many would be wondering why the Freedom Newspaper is picking on Saine. Our stance is not malicious at all. We are doing what’s expected of any responsible Newspaper. If we fail to speak out against Pap Saine’s double standards,  history would judge us harshly. We rather to be damned, than to be a party to a gross journalistic misconduct.

Journalism is beyond friendship. Journalism is beyond self-centeredness. Journalism has no room for discrimination. Journalism has no room for corruption.

For Saine to be respected, he must play by the journalistic rule. He should stop the socialization with public officials. He should stop discussing internal editorial issues with outside parties. He should apply “ You do not need to know.” Policy.

After all, what is the rational behind revealing stories lined up for publication to outside parties. What’s Saine signaling to the public? Can he be trusted?

It’s a known fact that Pap Saine enjoys attending official dinners and receptions. He talks a lot during such functions. He might implicate others without knowing it. Saine should minimize attending  public functions and repair his tarnished image.

We still cannot understand why Pap Saine is being given special treatment by the state. When a Foroyaa reporter visited the Kotu police to investigate the arrest of Deyda Halake, he was arrested, but Pap Saine was never arrested, when he showed up there. Is Pap Saine working for the state or Gambians? Time will tell!!