The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has called on journalists to strengthen investigative reporting, fact-checking and accountability journalism ahead of the 2026 presidential and 2027 parliamentary elections.
GPU Vice President Sheriff Saidykhan made the call on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the opening of a two-day training on investigative journalism organised at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) in partnership with _The Republic_.
Saidykhan said the training was timely and significant in strengthening journalists’ capacity to investigate issues of public interest and hold duty bearers accountable before, during and after elections.
He noted that investigative journalism plays a crucial role in exposing the misuse of public funds, uncovering institutional corruption, countering misinformation and disinformation, and empowering citizens with credible information to make informed electoral decisions.
“In an era of misinformation, journalists have a vital role to fact-check information and verify sources for responsible journalism,” he said, urging media practitioners to prioritise accuracy over speed and produce evidence-based investigative reports.
He added that the training would enhance journalists’ ability to report accurately and ethically throughout the electoral cycle while equipping them with the skills to identify and address hate speech and promote conflict-sensitive reporting.
According to Saidykhan, responsible election reporting is essential to ensuring that media coverage does not contribute to political and social tensions.
The training forms part of a broader project titled _“Empowering Voters Through Investigative Journalism, Fact-checking, and Promoting Transparency and Accountability in The Gambia.”_ The initiative seeks to empower Gambian voters through transparent, data-driven reporting while strengthening the capacity of journalists ahead of the 2026–2027 electoral cycle.
Saidykhan observed that The Gambia’s democratic transition continues to face challenges linked to the institutional legacies of 22 years of authoritarian rule.
While acknowledging legislative and democratic developments that have opened up civic space, he noted that public discourse, particularly during election periods, remains vulnerable to misinformation, disinformation, unchecked corruption and limited access to reliable, evidence-based information.
He stressed that elections represent a critical period for transparency and accountability, requiring citizens to have access to credible and well-researched information on issues that could influence their electoral choices.
These issues, he explained, include political campaign financing, the interests of political actors, public procurement, the management of public resources, and the backgrounds and records of individuals seeking public office.
However, he noted that a gap remains in the availability of in-depth investigative reports that provide citizens with such information in an accessible and evidence-based manner.
It is against this backdrop that the GPU, in partnership with _The Republic_, is seeking to strengthen the capacity of Gambian journalists to undertake professional and evidence-based investigative reporting.
The two-day training is expected to equip selected journalists with practical knowledge and skills in tracking public procurement data, analysing asset declarations and corporate registries, investigating potential corruption, and developing investigative stories that promote transparency and accountability.
The training will also address challenges journalists face in reporting on public financial management, particularly in following up on audit findings and investigating potential financial irregularities.
Saidykhan noted that the National Audit Office has continued to identify weaknesses in public financial controls, unauthorised or unlawful expenditure, and unaccounted-for funds within public institutions.
However, he said journalists often encounter difficulties in examining such findings and developing compelling public-interest stories due to limited knowledge and skills in financial analysis.
Participants will therefore be introduced to techniques for identifying potential corruption and financial irregularities, analysing documents and data, verifying sources, and developing investigative story ideas and leads.
The training will also cover safety measures for journalists conducting investigations, particularly in politically sensitive environments.
These include secure communication, protecting confidential sources and whistle-blowers, and implementing physical and digital safety measures when conducting field investigations.
In his concluding remarks, Saidykhan encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training and learn from the resource persons facilitating the sessions.
He reaffirmed the GPU’s commitment to promoting journalistic excellence and strengthening the media landscape in The Gambia.
“The Gambia Press Union still remains committed to promoting journalistic excellence in the media landscape at all times,” he said.
The training is expected to contribute to strengthening public-interest journalism and improving access to credible information as the country prepares for the 2026 presidential and 2027 parliamentary elections.
