Gambia Press Union

• The GPU was established as the umbrella organisation for media professionals in The Gambia. • The mission is to safeguard the welfare and interest of journalism while promoting freedom of expression and professionalism in the media. • The registration of the GPU in 1979 was a culmination of a number of attempts, starting in the 1940s, which were all frustrated by the colonial government in charge of the Gambia as a colony then. A breakthrough was eventually made in 1979, six years after independence in 1965. • The Union has evolved from an organisation whose members used to gather under a veranda, to a prominent national labour and media rights organisation of international repute. • The GPU now boasts of a rapidly increasing membership base of more than 500 regular and freelance media professionals from print, radio, TV and online. The Union has a functioning Executive Board that provides strategic leadership and effective oversight; a highly motivated and qualified staff that run its day-to-day affairs; and an expanding network of national and international partners. • In over four decades, the GPU continues to pursue its founding vision of a Gambia where citizens and non-citizens are empowered with accurate and undiluted information to be able to make informed choices for society’s development. • The GPU is one of most democratic and resilient organisations in the country. The Union has since its inception been holding regular congress. There has been a change of leadership for the 7th consecutive time in September 2018. Since 2017, the Union is formally positioned to play a catalytic role in the fight for real reforms as the co-chair of the Media Reforms Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure. GPU is perceived by media and civil society organizations as the leading agent in advocacy for freedom of expression, freedom of information, and good governance – for a reason: GPU invites to join hands.