By Da One
The Director General of SIS (formerly called the NIA), Momodou Sowe has recently told journalists that social media is a threat to national security because of the dangers of fake news, whatever that is. He further urged journalists to be “professional” and responsible in going about their business of gathering and disseminating news and information.
I question and challenge this half-truth assertion by Mr. Sowe that social media is a threat to national security. I will go as far as to say the only threat to national security is his own ill-informed and ill-Intentioned statement made at that gathering.
Why do I say that?
The security of a nation depends, to a large extent, on how well the citizens are informed about the happenings within the corridors of power and the happenings in the whole nation.
In other words, a citizenry empowered with information (and knowledge) will not do anything to jeopardize or harm the collective security and wellbeing of the nation. But at the same time a well-informed citizenry is a threat to corrupt practices, nepotism, thievery and the abuse of power. Afrikkan governments are well known for these evils I mentioned. They actively go against the media (and newly) social media spaces to stifle the free flow of information. This is what Momodou Sowe, the director of a state agency that should have been completely banned when the new government took over the reins of power is trying to achieve. His revelation that the SIS has not made a single arrest since its name change is and should be of no consolation to Gambians.
The youths of The Gambia will no more be silenced by people who feel threatened by their continuous strive to become aware and knowledgeable. Those days are forever gone, thanks to the sacrifices of many Gambian citizens who put their lives on the line for us to become free, hopefully and prosperous.
Citizen journalism has shifted the control information from an elite class into the hands of ordinary people. It has given tremendous opportunities to those who won’t otherwise have a voice. Mr. Sowe and his class despise that shift. Yes, but the momentum cannot be stopped.
Successive Gambia governments have awfully failed to build a foundation of democracy to thrive on. There could have been a great school of professional journalism and communication. This would have given journalists and broadcasters the necessary training that would increase their capacities to adhere to high standards of professionalism in news gathering and reporting. It’s no secret that Gambian journalist get their training on the job. The monies now spent on SIS should have been utilized to facilitate the building of a world-class journalism school in The Gambia. That’s of course common sense that the entire regime of Adama Barrow is not equipped to understand.
I still have not seen a single incident of “fake news” leading to chaos and endangerment to the state, government officials, civil servants or the citizens. But I have seen the state going after journalists for no justifiable reasons. That’s the hallmark of a criminal regime, just like that of Yahya Jammeh. The sooner this government vacates power, the better for everyone.