In their drive to bring all relevant stake holders on board, the executives of the Young Journalist’s Association of The Gambia (YJAG) yesterday had an audience with the editor-in-chief of Foroyaa Newspaper at his office in Churchill’s Town, SerreKunda.

Speaking at the meeting, which lasted for about an hour, Mr Nfamara Jawneh briefed the Foroyaa boss on the reasons for the establishment of the YJAG, which he said, is meant to promote mutual understanding and the general wellbeing of young journalists in the country. He used the opportunity to appeal to media houses in the country to revisit their pay scales and to always encourage their staff when ever necessary. “We would also like to see freelance journalists able to sell their stories to different media houses in the country as happens in other countries” he said. YJAG president also applauded the Foroyaa editor for providing in-service training for his staff. He also appealed to him to provide them with both financial and moral support for the official launch slated for January 2008.

Aminata Sanneh, YJAG treasurer informed the meeting of the high regard the association attaches to the training of journalists.

For his part, Mr Sam Sarr, editor-in-chief of Foroyaa, said, “We owe a moral obligation to give you what you need for your satisfaction and for your survival”. Mr Sarr lamented the problems newspapers in the country experience in terms of finance; mostly due to high taxation and weak purchasing power among the readers.  “We at Foroyaa paid D300, 000 in income and sales tax this year. A good number of people can’t afford the newspaper and in some instances only one person will buy a copy and lend it to others to read” he noted.

He applauded the emergence of YJAG particularly to fill the gaps that the Gambia Press Union could not. He acknowledges the vital role YJAG can play in facilitating the recruitment of people into the profession.

On training, Mr Sam said it is relevant to the work and encouraged YJAG to continue striving, as hard as they can, to achieve better standards of training for their members.

At the end of the meeting, the Foroyaa editor-in-chief pledged D1000 to YJAG for its launch. 

Reacting to the gesture YJAG leader thanked Mr Sam and appealed for others to emulate it.

Yesterday’s meeting was moderated by Assan Sallah, the Public Relations officer and Musa Ndow, 1st vice president of the association, gave the vote of thanks.