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The Gambia Press Union has started preparations for its annual national journalism award with an inception meeting with the organizing committee.
An inception meeting with the 5th edition of the National Journalism Award organizing committee was held on Friday, 13th March 2020, at the GPU secretariat in Fajara.
The organizing committee of the award is tasked with the responsibility to coordinate the organisation, logistics and fundraising for the award.
The Award Committee, comprising 14 members, is chaired by veteran journalist Demba Ali Jawo. Other members of the committee are:
1. Jainaba Nyang
2. Essa Jallow
3. Famara Fofana
4. Sallah Njie
5. Therese Keita
6. Lamin Sam Jaiteh
7. Hatab Fadera
8. Sanna Camara
9. Lamin Fatty
10. Dodou Bojang
11. Maimuna Sidibeh
12. Fatoumatta Ceesay
13. Catherine P Jassey
The National Journalism Award is a flagship event of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), commemorated May 3rd every year as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
The Award is the most prestigious and highest honour in Gambian journalism. The event has since inception in 2016 become most prominent journalism event as we honour and recognise courageous and hardworking journalists for their outstanding contribution to the development of society. The competition is open to all journalists and media outlets. Each winner gets a prize in the form of a trophy, certificate and working gadget. The entries are judged by an independent panel of seasoned media professionals.
The annual event brings together veteran journalists, practicing journalists, members of the civil society, senior government officials, officials of embassies, the private sector and development partners among others. The program is realizing its objective of improving standards of journalism. Today, journalists demonstrably strive to be decorated by working harder on getting high-impact stories.
Every year, the GPU Executive Committee, acting on the recommendation of the Secretariat, puts together an interim committee of volunteers to coordinate and fundraise for the award.