One of the things to consider now, as The Gambia comes face-to-face with the presidential election, is the words of Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas who had touched the appropriate chords when he cautioned the Gambian politicians and said he wants The Gambia to set an example for the rest of Africa. To let the world know that there is truly a new Gambia in which democracy, rule of law and the peaceful conduct of elections is the order of the day.
In his words of advice, this can only be achieved if hate speeches that can foment trouble and trigger violence are shunned.
As the political parties heighten their campaign activities, the tendency for some of them to pass unguarded utterances, some of them hate in nature, is becoming noticeable.
Some media practitioners especially broadcasters as observed by many Gambians appear to relish the hate speeches uttered by some politicians as they urge them on with their irresponsible ‘more fire’ push.
There are consequences to such irresponsible speeches which have the tendency to foment trouble and trigger violence.
Why would a radio station presenter decide not to stop a politician from continuing to pass remarks which can only inflame passions in a highly polarised country? And why will any print media allow some hate speeches to slip into its headline. It is unfathomable why politicians who make such remarks and the radio presenters or a writer who air or published them fail to understand the consequences of such behaviour.
At a time when the country is close to holding an election in which the stakes are high, we can only condemn such tendencies.
It is the responsibility of those manning such consoles to be on top of their assignments by denying perpetrators of hate speeches the oxygen to disseminate their toxic language.
Language, when not managed properly, can throw a country into avoidable turmoil as some countries have witnessed already. While it is easy to trigger violence; it is difficult to stop it.
As the December 4 date draws near, the desperation of some politicians who have access to a number of radio stations pushes them to make comments some of which should not be countenanced in any civilised society.
In countries that have learned their lessons from such irresponsible language, nobody wants to venture near such intemperate outbursts.
We have never endured the consequences of ethnocentric strife occasioned by hate speeches and pray never to do so now or in the future. The import of the admonition of Dr. Chambas can hardly be appreciated by naive journalists who take more delight in muddying the waters than promoting peace and stability of the country.
Although the role of the media in democracies cannot be marginalised, the irresponsible conduct of some practitioners alongside bad politicians who think like them is a cause for concern.
It is our hope that the many admonitions from various interest groups will make a positive impact on the upcoming elections.
An Editorial Piece from The Voice, Gambia
