06/24/2026
GUINEA-BISSAU PUSHES FOR STRONGER MEDIA ALLIANCE WITH THE GAMBIA DURING BANJUL VISIT
By Amie Jallow
Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Social Communication, Dr. Abdurahamane Turé, has urged West African states to deepen media cooperation, warning that fragmented communication systems are weakening journalism’s ability to fight misinformation and defend democracy.
He was speaking in Banjul during a press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral media relations between Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia.
Dr. Turé said the rapid rise of digital platforms, instant news cycles, and online misinformation has placed traditional media under pressure, forcing urgent reforms in how information is produced and shared.
“We are called upon to rethink the role of media institutions and adapt them to the demands of our time,” he said.
He stressed that media institutions must remain central to credible information, civic education, and cultural promotion, warning that weak media systems risk undermining democracy, peace, and national unity across the region.
The minister also called for stronger investment in public media institutions, improved working conditions for journalists, and expanded professional training, noting that ethical journalism is essential for rebuilding public trust.
However, he emphasized that no country can face the current media challenges alone, arguing that regional cooperation is now a necessity rather than an option.
Dr. Turé used the visit to push for joint programming between national broadcasters, exchange of training opportunities, and shared production of educational and cultural content between both countries.
He also highlighted plans to expand collaboration into digital communication, innovation, and modernization of traditional media systems.
As part of the visit, Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering capacity building, content exchange, and institutional cooperation between their media sectors.
Dr. Turé said the agreement should not remain symbolic, but must translate into “visible results” that improve media quality and public service delivery.
He further warned that West African integration cannot succeed without stronger communication bridges, adding that media must be used to promote unity, tolerance, and a shared regional identity.
Closing his remarks, he urged journalists to uphold ethics and truth in the face of rising disinformation, describing the media as a frontline institution in protecting democracy.
The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for deeper long-term cooperation between the two countries’ media institutions.