BBC documentary visits the uncharted side of Gambian life

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BBC documentary visits the uncharted side of Gambian life

Thursday, 02 September 2010 20:54

A documentary by the BBC has heard elderly Gambians told the world about their tribulations in the hands of the government of one of Africa’s last troubling democracies.
Aired Thursday, 2 September, the weekly BBC World Service documentary, Assignment, explored the leadership style of President Yahya Witch_hunter

Jammeh.
Coinciding with the birthday anniversary of the Gambian leader, the documentary heard various accounts of how Gambians view life in the country. It discusses Jammeh’s claim of cure for HIV/AIDS, his onslaught, last year, against elderly people suspected of witchcraft, his government’s uncompromising stance against free speech, among a host of other issues.
You can listen to the full program here. Alternatively click on jollofnews Online radio, courtesy of the BBC.

Comments

123

0 #23 2010-09-07 18:31

In other words, Mike, you could only make what is generally accepted as an objective report by expressing both sides,but i h=guess that is what the reporter did; and see what they president's allies were saying... how Jammeh was God sent, hw he is irreplaceable, all all those funny remarks that make Gambia look like a sorry country.
I have an ofice with internet connection, but when I want to contribute on this forum, I go out to the cafe... You can imagine why.
is this the kind of country our founding fathers worked for?
And yet I see people condemn others for expressing opposition against this govt. Are you people at all fair with us left at the mercy of this babarous regim led by the most brutal African leader living and one of the biggest crookes and thieves the continent has ever had.
It doesnt matter what people write or say, we are in prison here...

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0 #22 2010-09-07 18:21

Mike,

I understand you know Gambia a lot, but I want to argue that your knowlege of the country is more business baised which must certainly meant there is an enormous aspect of the attitude of this govt you do not know about, like in the attitude of the govt towards access to information. I know we all here about the problems journalists face in Gambia, but very few of us have a fair idea about what this mean.
Jammeh's dislike for the independent media has caused what is like a deadly infectious attitude towards journalist.
I wonder how else you expected the BBC reporter to solicit information from Gambians when anyone talks to an unauthorised person like him they are bound to be dealt wit severely.
While in other countries you fear being sacked for such, here in Gambia you fear for your life. You see the difference?

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0 #21 2010-09-07 16:11

Thankyou Samba..for your Gambian wisdom and understanding.

The Gambia is important to Britain and the BBC. I only wish for the best for The Gambia. I suppose some credit is due for the BBC at least taking this interest.

If I wear their headmaster...I would write...."Must try harder"

Thanx.

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0 #20 2010-09-07 15:31

Mr Mike Scales....I understand your point of view. But I think Gambia is the least important excolony/country in Africa for the BBC. Not for Yahya Jammeh thou! The abuses in Gambia are not taken seriously simply the fact that Majority of Gambians, despite their documented abuses and barbaric ruler are still dancing in thousands and singing for the ruler. If someone is battering the hell out of you and you are silenced like the wind, WHO WILL COME INVESTIGATE? The aid cure is just seen as JOKE/VODOO and on a “population” whose lives is steered with such JOKES/VODOOS on daily basis. It has to do with the CULTURE and will be very hard to do a proper journalistic work in such a culture. It is like a teen, horrifically abused by the parents yet denies,praises, defend,glorifie s,promotes & chants the parents to the social services. BBC is not use to such a culture and extremely difficult to do proper report with such an "audience". You get my point. Credit to him at least.

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0 #19 2010-09-07 14:46

Abdou...Sambou.

I have worked extensively with The Gambian government. I have always maintained..that their was a second force working underneath the radar of the Office of The President.

We now see some key figures facing incredible charges of abuse and corruption.

We saw the joint Ecowas /Un commitee absolve any wrong doing in connection to the deaths of the Ecowas travellers to the Gambian government or Jammeh.

Facts..proof.. and evidence.

Where their is blame...let us stand.

Where their is no blame...let us move on.

I was faced with some very bad people in Gambia.

Their must be some incentive for Jammeh to move down the law, democracy and human rights route.

We all share collective responsibility.

To change the status quo.

We will never move on from our polarised positions at this rate.

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0 #18 2010-09-07 14:10

Thankyou Samba, This may have been Gambia..but it was a British reporter working for and on behalf of the BBC.

Myself...I think this is a job for a professional...with a camera crew.

Orla Gurein..or Jeremy Bowen...or someone used to front line reporting.

Not scared to tell it as it is. {both sides}

The ground work..with The Presidents protocol and PR team...should have been extensive and the ground rules agreed before hand.

Britain has a considerable interest.

Drugs..Tourism..Commerce DFID...The Conoutou..agreement. Immigration, The Commonwealth to name a few.

Those treated for Hiv and alleged to have been cured...Lets speak to them two years later and test their blood and see if they are cured?

Lets give The President every chance to state his case...with proof.

If he declines...then what do we conclude? Fake or Genuine ?

Now thats fair...

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+2 #17 2010-09-06 23:15

MIKE
In your first post you even accuse the reporter of lacking objectivity! Give the guy a break, he hung around Banjul for days in an attempt to speak to Jammeh and hear his side of the story but in the end he got turned down because that cowardly Jammeh knows that western journalists are not afraid to ask him tough questions.

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0 #16 2010-09-06 19:34

Mike Scales,
I am not sure I am following your point. What exactly are you at? Was the report baised against the government or the other way round?
What did you expect exactly from the reporter? Can you come out plain, please?

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+2 #15 2010-09-06 18:40

Mr Mike Scales...I think you forgot that you are referring to Gambia and not UK. That journalist is even lucky to get someone talked about Jammeh abuses, even the opposition Darboe only words was "I dont trust him", while he sat on a pile of grove abuses. Gambia freedom of speech is in like north korea. If you dont believe it go to Gambia and try to do an interview about political situation in your “journalistic style”. You will get a good bed and breakfast in Hotel mile 2 and nice viewing with those stinky mangrove to have dip.

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+1 #14 2010-09-06 18:04

Glad you got something out of this Joe. We are used to... and expect much better.

After 16 years...the international community...do very little but criticise and moan...with the occaisonal,safe ,and well coreographed protest.This documentary..fell well short of the expectations...It was reporting on a low budget. Not worthy of the BBC at all.

Either do it right or stay away.

Good reporting seeks both sides of the story.

The audience should be left to make its own mind up. Without the promise of Jammeh's insight this was a "lame duck" report.

I doubt the BBC will get back to try again.

Not impressed at all.

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