CJID Launches First-Ever Campus Reporting Initiative in Gambia

By Edward Dalliah, Jr

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has successfully launched its first-ever Campus Reporter Clinic in The Gambia, equipping over 20 student journalists with practical reporting skills to report on issues affecting their campuses and communities.

The two-day training, held from 3rd to 4th August 2026 at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi, brought together journalism students from the University of The Gambia (UTG) and the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC). 

Organised in partnership with UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), the training was designed to equip participants with the practical reporting skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

Founded in Nigeria in 2014, CJID is a West African media innovation and development think tank that promotes investigative journalism, media innovation, fact-checking, and democratic accountability. Since 2020, the organisation has expanded its work across several African countries, including The Gambia.

Speaking after the training, the Deputy Director, Journalism Programme at the CJID, Busola Ajibola, described the programme as “a success”, noting that “It is the first time we are engaging campus journalists through a broad curriculum around accountability journalism.”

She explained that although CJID had previously implemented a journalism programme in The Gambia through DUBAWA, it primarily focused on media literacy for young people. 

Speaking on the response of the participants towards the initiative, Mrs Ajibola said: “There was a lot of enthusiasm among the participants. They just need further mentorship, which we will provide, so they can practise journalism as it should be done.” 

The training featured sessions facilitated by experienced Gambian journalists and media professionals. Among the facilitators was leading investigative journalist Mustapha Darboe, who trained participants on developing investigative stories. 

Yusef Taylor, journalist and proprietor of Askanwi Media, led sessions on data journalism, while Meita Touray, a gender advocate and journalism trainer at the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC), guided participants on gender-inclusive reporting and reporting on persons with disabilities.

For Omar Jallow, a journalism student at UTG, the session on open-source intelligence stood out. He explained that his “biggest highlight from the training has been the knowledge [he] gained on open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools that can be used in fact-checking and investigations.” 

Another participant, Adama Joof from the same institution, described the programme as a unique learning opportunity.

“The training is the first of its kind, and this experience has taught me a lot about what has to be done to not only serve as a voice in my school, but also in my community at large,” Ms Joof said. 

Mrs Ajibola noted that The Gambia is not the first country to host the initiative, noting that CJID has conducted similar campus journalism training in tertiary institutions across Nigeria and Ghana. 

She said the programme has already produced graduates who now work with leading international and regional media organisations.

“We already boast of about six to seven of our alumni working in different media organisations, including the BBC, Premium Times, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and DW,” she said.

“We are hoping to replicate the same model here in The Gambia, and [judging by] the energy in the room over the past two days, we are going to have another success story.”

She also encouraged participants to embrace journalism as a tool for positive social change, stressing that “journalism is non-violent and can be used at the highest level to bring about change, as long as you are applying ethics, truthfulness, accuracy, and fairness.”

CJID’s Project Manager, Media Freedom, Christina Longe, said participants will have the opportunity to pitch stories from their campuses and communities. 

Ms Longe said selected story ideas will receive editorial guidance and support before being published on the Campus Reporter website.

“So whatever stories they are pitching, they will be properly guided, and we also have platforms where they can publish those stories,” she said. 

The initiative comes at a timely and critical moment as The Gambia prepares for the December presidential election, a period often vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation. By equipping student journalists with fact-checking techniques, investigative reporting skills, and digital verification tools, the programme is expected to strengthen their ability to produce stories beyond their campuses.