The president of the GPU executive came under fire last Saturday at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne when a Daily Observer news editor, Pa Ousman Darboe, questioned the legitimacy of the current GPU executive to steer the affairs of Gambian journalists.

Mr. Madi M.K. Ceesay was visibly livid with rage when Mr Darboe suggested that the present GPU executive be dissolved and a new one take over so as to make the journalist body more functional and responsive to the needs and welfare of the honourable members of the fourth estate in The Gambia.

Mr. Ceesay was galvanised into action as he snatched the microphone, saying:  “Mr. Chairman, I know you are chair of the programme but I would use my powers to overrule if you don’t give me the microphone to respond.”  The GPU boss then retorted: “If anybody wants to know what is happening in the GPU, let them be regular in attending meetings. Those calling for change should appreciate the efforts of the executive for the past years. We have done and would continue to do our best regardless of what. In fact, I know where you come from-Observer.”

At this juncture Omar Amadou Jallow, a former PPP cabinet minister now a member of the opposition, intervened to defuse the rising tension, saying that the symposium was not a forum for journalists to wash their dirty linen in public but that the day was rather set aside for journalists to reflect on their situation and chart the way forward.

A female Gambian journalist, Fatou Jaw Manneh, also intervened to restore order. She however pointed out that people should be free to express their opinions as long as they don’t infringe on the right of others.

Meanwhile, some practising journalists who spoke to this reporter deplored the incident. They described Mr. Ceesay’s attitude as unwholesome and indicting to the media practitioners in The Gambia. Journalists, they say, should be soldiers of civil liberty and should not be intolerant to criticism.

“What would the diplomats and other dignitaries think about us? We should be exemplary in whatever we do. If Madi cannot stomach criticism, then who is he to criticise others?” a concerned journalist whispered to a colleague.

The incident comes against the backdrop of many vacancies that have been created in the executive of the GPU following the flight of a number of its executive members from the country. Most of them are now in exile.

In another development, the former Editor-in-Chief of the now closed bi-weekly Independent newspaper, Mr. Musa Saidykhan, was last Saturday honoured with the prestigious CNN media award in far-away South Africa. Mr. Saidykhan flew to Johannesburg from Mombassa in Kenya to receive the award.