Malagen holds launch event

After two years of operations, the Gambia’s premier investigative reporting and fact checking media organisation, Malagen, was officially launched at a major ceremony held on 10 May, 2023.

Malagen is a publication of non-profit organisation, Open Media Centre, which works on issues relating to anti-corruption, open government, public accountability and transparency.

Kerr Fatou, an online news media covered the Malagen launch events in this story.

The launch event gathered an audience of more than 200 people drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, including government, civil society, journalism, academia, diplomatic missions, multinational organisations, human rights groups and political parties.

In his opening remarks Mr Saikou Jammeh gave an overview of Malagen, covering its history, mission and place in strengthening democracy.

Mr Saikou Jammeh is a founder and editor-in-chief of Malagen

Mr Saikou Jammeh is a founder and editor-in-chief of Malagen

"Our frustrations or desire to take up a new challenge was not without context," he explained. "When the dictatorship was defeated, and democracy embraced, the public has clearly raised its expectations on the media. To sustain this young democracy, it must deliver tangibles.

"Malagen is therefore a choice made consciously and conscientiously, keeping in mind the history of our peoples and our Republic and our firm belief in the Pulitzer creed that “Our Republic and its Press will either rise and fall together or rise and rise together."

Kora player Ansu Suso provides entertainment

Journalist and media consultant Sanna Camara is one of the MC's for the event.

Broadcast journalist Banna Sabally is one of the MC's at the event

L-R Fatima Diallo, marketing specialist; Malick Sanyang from the public relations office, Gambia Armed Forces; Susan Solomon, public affairs officer, US Embassy, and Mariama Janneh, program manager, USIAD-Gambia

L-R Jimmy Sankaituah, IRI Country Director; Fatou Camara, publisher of Fatu Network; Karamba Touray, former auditor general, Hassoum Ceesay, director of National Council for Arts, Mr Jobe, DPS, Ministry of Information, and Madi Jobarteh, country representative, Westminster Foundation

L-R Malagen head of investigations Mustapha K Darboe with Sanna Camara and director of press and public relations, Office of the President

The launch was interactive, featuring speeches, a panel, and Live podcast show with spirited audience engagement.

Amie Bojang, the director of press and public relations at the office of the president, was in attendance, and she participated in the discussion around some of the stories and comments critical of the presidency. Given how critical the stories are of the government, her participation was widely lauded

Amie Bojang, the director of press and public relations at the office of the president, was in attendance, and she participated in the discussion around some of the stories and comments critical of the presidency. Given how critical the stories are of the government, her participation was widely lauded

Mr Bai Emil Touray, executive secretary of the media council of the Gambia talks about regulatory issues with respect to the media.

Mr Bai Emil Touray, executive secretary of the media council of the Gambia talks about regulatory issues with respect to the media.

Prominent environmental activist Kemo Fatty calls for more investigations into environment investigation, and wonders what follow up actions are needed to derive maximum impact from Malagen investigations

Prominent environmental activist Kemo Fatty calls for more investigations into environment investigation, and wonders what follow up actions are needed to derive maximum impact from Malagen investigations

Almamy Fanding Taal, spokesman for the main opposition UDP made several interventions touching on the content of the magazine

Almamy Fanding Taal, spokesman for the main opposition UDP made several interventions touching on the content of the magazine

Political activist Kejau Touray, in his intervention, raises questions about Malagen's independence and how the platform is protected from sensationalism

Political activist Kejau Touray, in his intervention, raises questions about Malagen's independence and how the platform is protected from sensationalism

Veteran journalist and former minister for information, Demba Ali Jawo, in his intervention talks about the challenges of access to information the country

Veteran journalist and former minister for information, Demba Ali Jawo, in his intervention talks about the challenges of access to information the country

Saikou Fatajo is the brother of Siaka Fatajo, a victim of enforced disappearance whose story occupy the cover pages of the Magazine

Saikou Fatajo is the brother of Siaka Fatajo, a victim of enforced disappearance whose story occupy the cover pages of the Magazine

The platform provided an opportunity for Mariama Fatajo to talk about her father, Siaka Fatajo. She commended Malagen for the investigation into her father's enforced disappearance.

The platform provided an opportunity for Mariama Fatajo to talk about her father, Siaka Fatajo. She commended Malagen for the investigation into her father's enforced disappearance.

Launch of investigative reporting fellowship

The official opening was followed by the launch of the maiden Malagen investigative reporting fellowship with support from the US Embassy and Freedom House.

The aim of the fellowship is to build skills and competencies of journalists on investigative reporting with a view to promote specialisation in the field and to support interested media organisations to set up an investigative reporting desk.

Elysee Cinda Igaya, the chief of party, Freedom House, highlighted the importance of investigative reporting to support his organisation's USAID-funded Promoting Rights and Justice project, which supports the country's democratic transition and transitional justice programme.

“We stand with Malagen and its team in their pursuit of truth, transparency and accountability and we are proud to support their work in telling the stories of the Gambia and Africa as a whole,” he said

Susan Solomons, the public affairs officer of the US Embassy in Banjul, presided over the launch of the maiden investigative reporting fellowship for 15 aspiring investigative journalists.

Pilar Requena, a Spanish international investigative report, shares her experiences with the audience on her work.

The participants will attend four weeks of training, covering at least four essential modules for investigative reporting. The training will be facilitated by experienced local and international trainer

Elysee Sindayigaya, chief of party, Freedom House, speaking at the event

Pilar Requena Spanish international and investigative reporter, trainer at the fellowship.

Sussan C. Solomon, public affairs officer, US Embassy in Banjul, launched the OMC investigative reporting fellowship

Some of the fellows at the launch

Launch of Malagen and OMC

The official launch of Malagen also features the production and launch of the maiden print Magazine Edition of Malagen, a 100-page copy containing 22 investigative articles, covering human rights violations, public sector corruption, elections, public health hazards and environmental hazards.

The deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of information, Mr Ebrima Jobe, who represented the minister for information, Lamin Quin Jammeh, presided over the launch events.

The publisher of the Fatu Network news organisation, Fatou Camara and staff of Malagen joined DPS Jobe as he announced the launch of the magazine

Panel on ‘rebirth of investigative journalism’

The launch features a panel discussion on the theme ‘the rebirth of investigative journalism in the Gambia’. The panel held an informed discussion around investigative journalism with the aim of contributing to the broader goal of shaping the opinion of the public towards recognising and appreciating the place of investigative journalism in society.

The panel comprises local and international speakers, drawn from diverse backgrounds, including journalism, academia, history and civil society.

Panel on ‘rebirth of investigative journalism

Mr Demba Kandeh moderated the panel. He is a journalism trainer, and media specialist for Freedom House The Gambia

Maxime Domegni, an Africa editor for the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) was a special guest at the launch. He spoke on the trends and impact of investigative journalism in the world with emphasis on Africa.

Madi Jobarteh, a civil society leader speaks on areas covering the importance of investigative journalism in tackling corruption while promoting democracy, and sustainable development, and peaceful co-existence.

Mr Modou S. Joof is the secretary general of Gambia Press Union.

He speaks on the state of investigative journalism in the country

Haddija Jawara is a lawyer and freedom of expression activist. She speaks on how investigative journalism can improve governance in a way that enhances lives and livelihoods at a time when the country not only grapples with challenges of transitional justice and democratic transition as well as increase in corruption and poverty

Hassoum Ceesay is a historian, museum curator and director general of the National Council for Arts and Council.

He speaks on the history of investigative journalism in the country.

Launch of Malagen Inside

The event wrapped up with a Live broadcast production of maiden Malagen Inside, a podcast show that presents our long-form stories using a conversational approach to break down the investigative story, providing greater depth and context.

The author also takes the audience through a journey on the process of producing the story - how the story was conceived, the decisions made, and tactics used.

L-R Veteran journalist Peter Gomez hosts Malagen investigative journalist for Live podcast production of Malagen Inside.

Investigative reporter Mariam Sankanu presents her story, Jammeh's Last Victim - or Not, which features as the cover story for the magazine.

Investigative reporter Mariam Sankanu presents her story, Jammeh's Last Victim - or Not, which features as the cover story for the magazine.

Malagen head of investigations Mustapha K Darboe presents his story, Investors of Diplomatic Immunity.

Malagen head of investigations Mustapha K Darboe presents his story, Investors of Diplomatic Immunity.

Investigative reporter Kaddy Jawo presents her story, Epidemic on Gambian Roads.

Investigative reporter Kaddy Jawo presents her story, Epidemic on Gambian Roads.

The objective of the podcast show is to improve public access to information. The Gambian news consumers are faced with a myriad of access issues such as low internet penetration levels, high data cost, illiteracy, and generational preferences. This is particularly true for Malagen given our digital-first mandate and the nature of our stories which are long-form, series reads dealing with complex issues of corruption and human rights violations.

Closing remarks

The closing ceremony was presided over by the president of Gambia Press Union, Mr Muhammed S Bah.

He congratulated Malagen for the bold step they took to set up an investigative journalism platform, stating that it would contribute immensely on the fight for democracy and good journalism.

"We are proud of Malagen and we want to see more of such platforms in the country," he added.