Rohey Manjang vs. Alkamba Times—Crowdfunding Amid Reckless Reporting Is a Disservice to Journalism – LamToro News

By Arfang Madi Sillah, Washington DC

Journalism, at its finest, is the artwork of talking reality to energy. At its worst, it’s the craft of producing melodrama underneath the guise of revelation. There isn’t any occupation that advantages extra from the indulgences of society whereas concurrently being so allergic to its obligations. In the unwritten code of journalism, there exists a sacred covenant: publish with conviction, defend with proof, and if error emerges, face the implications with grace and dignity. The historical past of the press, significantly in Britain, is awash with tales of daring headlines and audacious defiance, however at all times anchored by an unshakable dedication to accountability. Journalism, in any case, will not be a occupation for the fainthearted; it’s a commerce that courts peril with each printed phrase. Yet, the boldness to publish have to be matched by the willingness to defend, and the place obligatory, the humility to confess fault. To search refuge in public charity to underwrite one’s missteps will not be solely undignified however a betrayal of the ideas that elevate journalism to its vaunted position because the Fourth Estate.

The current controversy involving The Alkamba Times is a stark illustration of journalism at its weakest—a second that would have bolstered the significance of accountability has as a substitute turn into an egregious show of evasion. For these unfamiliar with the case, The Alkamba Times, a Gambian newspaper, printed allegations suggesting that Minister Rohey John Manjang accepted D150,000 from the sale of a mahogany tree. Serious accusations, to make sure, however ones that demand unimpeachable proof to resist scrutiny. Instead of standing by its reporting or retracting the declare, the paper has resorted to crowdfunding its authorized defence, invoking the drained banner of defending “press freedom” to solicit public sympathy. One may argue that the one factor extra scandalous than the unique declare is that this audacious try to keep away from accountability by offloading its prices onto the general public.

This technique is as cynical as it’s cowardly. What The Alkamba Times fails to understand—or refuses to acknowledge—is that the very basis of press freedom rests on the dual pillars of accountability and independence. To publish is to threat; to accuse is to supply proof. Without these safeguards, journalism turns into indistinguishable from idle gossip, with devastating penalties for public belief. It isn’t any coincidence that societies with sturdy, unbiased media additionally take pleasure in greater ranges of institutional credibility. The inverse is equally true: a press that shirks accountability is a press that forfeits its credibility.

The British press, notorious for its audacity, affords instructive classes. In 1993, The Sun printed a salacious and fully fabricated story about Elton John, accusing the celebrity of hiring lease boys. The outcome was a libel swimsuit that value the tabloid £500,000—a monetary blow that would have crippled a lesser establishment. But The Sun didn’t flip to its readers for assist. It bore the penalty, understanding that the privilege of a free press comes with the accountability to pay for its errors.

Similarly, The News of the World, Fleet Street’s notorious scandal sheet, collapsed underneath the load of its phone-hacking scandal. Lawsuits poured in from celebrities, politicians, and even unusual residents whose privateness had been violated. The damages bumped into the tens of millions, and the paper finally closed. Yet, even because it imploded underneath the load of its personal corruption, the paper by no means sought public charity to mitigate its fall.

One of the oldest lawsuits towards the British press additional underscores this custom of accountability. In 1907, Alfred Harmsworth’s Daily Mail confronted a authorized problem over its inflammatory reporting on the Boer War. Harmsworth, a pioneer of mass-market journalism, understood the excessive stakes of his sensational method. When the courts dominated towards him, the Daily Mail absorbed the monetary blow. Harmsworth’s actions mirrored an unstated reality: credibility is the lifeblood of journalism, and to beg for public sympathy within the face of failure is to forfeit that credibility.

The Gambian context, sadly, appears to be charting a extra lamentable course. Recall The Voice Newspaper, which printed unverified allegations towards President Adama Barrow. When sued for defamation, it launched a crowdfunding marketing campaign, portraying itself as a martyr without cost speech. The public, wanting to assist an unbiased press, donated generously. Yet, when the case was settled out of courtroom, donors have been left with out transparency or refunds. This debacle not solely uncovered the shortage of accountability at The Voice but in addition broken public belief within the Gambian media as a complete. A free press can’t afford such breaches of religion.

This troubling sample extends to different instances as nicely. Kemeseng “Kexx” Sanneh, a journalist with Foroyaa, allegedly fabricated a kidnapping story, claiming he was kidnapped and dumped at a cemetery by unknown people. Police investigations, nevertheless, revealed that Sanneh had spent the evening at residence with a marabout as a part of a fraudulent ritual. Despite the gravity of this misconduct, neither Foroyaa nor the Gambian Press Union (GPU) held Sanneh accountable. Instead, sympathisers, significantly Gambians within the diaspora, launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign, portray him as a sufferer of press persecution. This incident, like many others, undermined public belief within the media whereas shielding unethical behaviour.

Kerr Fatou, one other on-line platform, was embroiled in a defamation case involving former Agriculture Minister Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ). The platform printed baseless claims accusing Jallow of colluding with a businessman to promote authorities fertilizer, prompting him to file a lawsuit for reputational harm. Rather than defend its reporting with proof or problem a retraction, Kerr Fatou framed the authorized problem as an assault on press freedom, soliciting public donations for its defence. The case was finally settled out of courtroom, however the lack of transparency relating to the alleged funds raised additional uncovered the platform’s disregard for accountability.

Equally troubling was the conduct of Fatou Touray of Kerr Fatou and Fatoumatta Drammeh of Paradise TV, who breached Gambian regulation by allegedly publishing unauthorised particulars from the Children’s Court proceedings within the case of Samsudeen Phatey v. Neneh J. Thompson. Despite the authorized and moral violations concerned, each people pleaded not responsible and garnered widespread assist from media sympathisers. These incidents underscore the alarming pattern of media personalities masquerading as journalists with out adhering to skilled requirements, additional eroding belief within the Gambian press.

In a nutshell, Hon. Rohey John Manjang’s steadfast stand will not be solely brave however important for setting a precedent that reckless reporting shall now not go unchallenged.

The period of weaponized half-truths and sensationalist ways should finish, lest public belief within the media erodes irreparably. Hon. Rohey John Manjang’s case, due to this fact, is greater than a personal grievance. It is a clarion name for greater requirements and a reminder to journalists that freedom of the press should stroll hand in hand with an obligation to the reality. A judicial verdict, and even an out-of-court settlement, is not going to suffice. What is required is an industry-wide introspection and reform to safeguard the dignity of each journalism and people it purports to carry to account. Let the document present: Gambians deserve a press that informs, not misleads—a press that elevates discourse, not degrades it. Hon. Rohey John Manjang deserves commendation for her boldness in defending her repute towards an alleged smear marketing campaign.

In a media panorama more and more outlined by sensationalism over substance, her determination to pursue authorized redress will not be merely a private matter however a public service. Reckless journalism has no place in any society, and it’s incumbent upon these in positions of energy to carry such practices accountable—not out of vengeance, however to protect the sanctity of reality and professionalism.  

Conclusion
Freedom of expression calls for accountability. The Gambian media should uphold moral requirements and cease exploiting public goodwill. Accountability and rigorous reporting are non-negotiable for a reputable press. Crowdfunding, when used appropriately, generally is a lifeline for journalism. It can assist investigative initiatives, maintain small retailers, or resist censorship in oppressive regimes. But it should not be a crutch for evading accountability. To misuse public sympathy as a protect for recklessness is to betray the very viewers that sustains the press. Journalism will not be charity; it’s a occupation that calls for each braveness and accountability.

The Gambian public should recognise this distinction. Supporting the press is important for democracy, however blind loyalty to media retailers that fail to uphold primary requirements solely permits additional recklessness. If The Alkamba Times, The Voice, or Kerr Fatou Media want to declare the mantle of unbiased journalism, they have to defend their reporting with proof or retract their claims with humility. Anything much less is a betrayal of their readers and a disservice to the beliefs of press freedom.

Disclaimer: