GMC’S Haruna Jallow Blasts Freedom Newspaper!!!

…Editors Reassure GMC Party Leadership

“Disagreeing with your leadership on issues of national interest or concern does not signify that we are enemies. For Mai to become Gambia’s Obama, he needs to be opened to “ genuine criticism” and advise. He should expand his intellectual horizon by asserting maturity in his day to day dealings with the public including the media. He should also let go the “ Ego” mentality  and read information published about him with an open mind. He should be able to engage his perceived enemies into meaningful debate, no matter what kind of allegations they peddled against him,” Freedom Editors posited.

Haruna Mountaga Jallow
Assistant to Barrister Fatty.

It has come to my knowledge that you had quoted me as the "Spokesman" of Gambia Moral Congress. I wonder why you made this up because I signed my correspondence as "Assistant to Barrister Fatty", which isnt the same as "Spokesman" and NOT even assistant to Gambia Moral Congress. Barrister Fatty is not the same as Gambia Moral Congress, which is a political Movement, and that is not to say that he is not a public figure. Please correct this misleading information.
Most seriously, it is very troubling that you published my private email address which you obtained from me as a news source without my consent. I sent this same information to your sister online media at the same time, and they responsibly protect my private email address, while dealing with the textual information it contained as they deem fit professionally. Journalists would prefer to go to prison than provide news source private email address without the owner's permission, and that doesn’t mean that one is trying to hide. Lastly, no one would read my correspondence and treat it as issuing "threats".
Thank you for naming Barrister Fatty "Man of the Year" previously. Your Editorial Board, which I assume was very thorough and objective in that regard vetted him among a long list as you claimed, and praised Barrister Fatty for his "uncompromising stance in defending the Constitution and the oppressed. " Further you applauded him for being " among the few lawyers today who is willing to represent the poor and the oppressed". Your readers will recall that you Pa Nderry Mbai crowned Barrister Fatty stating that "Fatty has never turned his back to underprivileged litigants", admiring him as "a true human rights defender." It is to the same Barrister Fatty that I serve as Personal Assistant (a Private Gambian Lawyer), and NOT as Spokesman for  Gambia Moral Congress (a public political Movement).
Allow the public to judge  in Freedomnewspaper if you Pa Nderry Mbai as a journalist has the right to publish my private email address as a news source without my permission, like you did - disclosing in full this correspondence.
Haruna Mountaga Jallow
Assistant to Barrister Fatty. 

Editors note: Bandirahbeh Haruna,  please accept our unreserved apologies, if you felt offended by our move to publish your email. As an independent media outlet, we use different mythologies to hold our leaders accountable. If publishing your email is a crime then, we crave your indulgence.  We say SORRY!!!!

We believe you guys need to exercise patience, perseverance and zeal in a bid to pass media scrutiny. If you continue to manifest this kind of trivial petty squabbles, unnecessary bickering, we  bet the GMC will fail the test of time. If you are into politics, you must be able to stomach or condone any challenges that might come your way.

Please do not take our criticism of your party and leader personal. We meant well for The Gambia and her people. All we are after is just, democratic and transparent Gambia.

We also advise your party leadership to create an official email for you to avoid conflict of interest. When you issue statements, you issue them in the name of GMC and not Haruna. Therefore, there is nothing wrong to call you spokesman of the Party. We are not into ambiguity.  Do not confuse yourself about simple issues.

Regarding the Man of the Year awarded that was extended to Mai Fatty, Bandirabeh Haruna, be rest assured that this paper issued the said award in good faith. We still have high respect and admiration for Fatty. Please do not misconstrue our role as independent journalists.

Disagreeing with your leadership on issues of national interest or concern does not signify that we are enemies. For Mai to become Gambia’s Obama, he needs to be opened to “ genuine criticism” and advise. He should expand his intellectual horizon by asserting maturity in his day to day dealings with the public including the media. He should also let go the “ Ego” mentality  and read information published about him with an open mind. He should be able to engage his perceived enemies into meaningful debate, no matter what kind of allegations they peddled against him.

Obama’s success story can be credited to his open door policy. He involves the media in all his programs. He never feel too good to respond to the media’s questions. Obama faces all kinds of scrutiny by the American media. The US media went as far as visiting his father’s home in Kenya.  If Obma can be scrutinized, who is Mai Fatty to be exempted.

Haruna, during the infancy stage of your party,  you will be receiving a lot of unsolicited emails, phone calls and advises from other concerned parties. Some will pose as supporters, opponents and conservatives. Please do not close your doors to them. Talk to them. The change Mai and your group want to effect, can only be realized if you prove to Gambians and friends of The Gambia that you are credible, transparent, accountable, dependable and tolerant.

I guess the main idea of setting up this party is to replace the Jammeh Government and restore freedom in our country. The rationale of changing Jammeh, would be defeated if  you repeat his past mistakes.

A political leader’s democratic credential is measured largely based on his relation with the media, civil society and right groups. Do not discriminate or persecute the media. Treat all media houses equally, even if they manifest opposition stance against your party.

While we reaffirm our open door policy to all political leaders and their supporters, the Freedom Newspaper shall jealously safeguard its editorial independence. Our friendship with Mai stops at the entrance of our news room. When reporting The Gambian story, we do not look at people’s eyes. We report the story as we see it. Please extend our greetings to your leader.

By the way, Bandirabeh Haruna, what happen to our query about the composition of  the GMC Executive? How about the Graft allegations brought against your party leader by a Gambian New Yorker? I think we should be laboring on issues of national interest than wasting our precious time on trivial issues. It's too early to cry foul. Do not let Yankuba Touray and Jammeh to laugh at you. We are yet to run a reality check on Mai. Please bear with us. Thanks for your attention.