Since its inception the United Democratic Party has been in the forefront of the fight for the rule of law, democratic norms, individual and press freedom. As a party whose members have been constant victims of tyranny, we know firsthand what it feels like to be targeted for exercising your rights.
Such abuse is more egregious if meted out by the state against the citizens, but individuals within society can also be culprits who abuse the rights of their fellow citizens.
It is concerning that journalists who set out to do their job are subject to personal attacks. It is disheartening to note that some of the culprits in this latest act of vilifying journalists, specifically the team at Kerr Fatou, identify themselves as members and supporters of the UDP. We condemn this behavior in the strongest possible terms and call on all who value our longstanding ideals of tolerance and respect for our norms to desist forthwith.
Kerr Fatou is not a UDP affiliate, and the proprietor Fatou Touray is not a member of the UDP, and they have never endorsed UDP as a party. They accord us a platform we need to get our message across to the Gambian public, a privilege we cherish and are grateful for. They are within their rights to accord the same privilege to other entities even if such entities are rival parties to the UDP. That is the spirit of democracy.
At a time when even the tax payer funded national broadcaster refuses to accord us adequate airtime to engage with the Gambian people, we found fair space and an opportunity in private media outlets like Kerr Fatou, Suu Radio, etc. where we could air our grievances, put our message across to Gambians, and offer them informed alternatives.
The UDP is not afraid of opposing ideas and there is no shortage of people within the party who can hold their own in a debate to defend our positions on any issue or to rebut any of the unfavorable claims made by rival parties and opponents.
We urge our members and supporters to defer to such people on issues they disagree with and let the debate of ideas take hold. Personal attacks have no space in a decent democratic space, and we urge restraint from all who value our ideals as a party.
The UDP Media Team
August 19, 2025
March 16, 2022
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