Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC)

As a not-for-profit social enterprise, the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) is both a capacity-building institution and an advocate in its own right. The academy is guided by a vision to strengthen participatory democracy, social cohesion, and sustainable development in The Gambia by nurturing critical and creative minds for an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving media, civil society, and creative landscape. MAJaC’s mission is to educate and build the capacities of young people and working journalists, civil society communicators, and cultural producers, while also driving systemic change through evidence-based advocacy and coalition-building. To achieve this, the academy empowers civil society organisations (CSOs), media actors, and citizens to play proactive roles in democratic governance and national development. This is done through agenda-setting events, professional training and workshops, in-house capacity development programmes, applied research projects, and vocational-level professional courses. The academy operates a curriculum accredited by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA). Despite this national recognition, MAJaC receives no public funding or government subsidies. Its learning philosophy deliberately departs from dominant top-down education models, instead emphasizing experiential learning, participation, collaboration, and real-life practical application. MAJaC was established in 2010 by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and is registered as a charitable organization with limited liability under the Companies Act. While the GPU owns the academy, it is governed by an independent board comprising representatives from civil society organisations, the business community, academia, and women’s groups—ensuring institutional autonomy, accountability, and inclusivity. As a charitable social enterprise, MAJaC offers its courses at comparatively affordable rates in relation to other training providers in