I am no Christian or Jew, but have always respected and observed the Biblical teachings contained in Ephesians 4:29 which states: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
This is why my conscience cannot allow me to ignore some of the foul mouthed insults being hurled at Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, former speaker of the Gambian National Assembly in the Dr Njomborr corner of the Freedom Newspaper.
Last Saturday immediately after The Gambian Echo ran a newsflash that they will be running an interview they had with Mrs. Jahumpa-Ceesay which was conducted while she was out shopping at the popular Right Choice Supermarket on Kairaba Avenue, Dr Njombor for whatever reasons went bananas calling her a ‘whore’.
Again this Sunday, while reading the online news at my brother’s residence in Telford, Dr Njombor in his attack at the former speaker stated: “Fatou Jahumpa Ceesay, do you remember when you tried to lure a former Daily Observer reporter into a sxxx at your Kanifing house? What? Your naked axxx was waiting for that d.... What? You are nothing but a whore!!! What? Fxxx you all and your mxxxx fxxx king mxxxxs! See you in court. I am no coward! I rather die to be a coward. You get that!!! Author the unknown!”
My eyes couldn’t believe what I was reading and I had to read it three times to believe that such foul mouthed language is actually published in a Gambian owned online newspaper which is read by even school children.
And what really surprised me is the decision of the publisher and managing editor of the Freedom Newspaper, who recently acquired a degree in Mass Communication from the reputable Arizona University, Phoenix, to allow such foul mouthed language to slip through.
I am not trying to lecture anyone about ethics of the profession as I haven't got a degree in communication like Mr. Mbye, but my long work experience with the media have always thought me that it is not professional for journalists to insult or hurt people in the name of freedom of expression.
Let me be quick to point out that I am not defending Mrs. Jahumpa-Ceesay, but I am compel to speak out because I totally believe that Dr Njombor went far beyond the line. I would not have raised a voice if the rude language used by Dr Njombor were contained in a Hollywood film script for Samuel L. Jackson rated PG 16.
As journalists and online contributors, it is normal that we disagree with each other in our day-to-day work on many issues. But as Baba Galleh Jallow, one of my editors at The Independent told me in an interview last year, "no one should claim infallibility or consider himself or herself to be above criticism. After all, we are trying to build a democratic political culture in the Gambia whose cardinal principle would be tolerance and respect for contrary opinions."
Using foul languages does not show any sign of bravery or make one look better. It also does not show any sign of cleverness either.
Writing under the caption What Purpose hath foul Language? in February 2007, renown US blogger, Harrison Beckmann, stated: “It is uncreative. People who use it [foul language] as expressions of whatever they are feeling at the moment forsake far more creative ways to say it. People who use it are limiting themselves to a very small, undesirable portion of all language. People who use it show that they are ignorant enough not to know to use something better. It is rude.
I know that some people will disagree with me and may jump to launch personal attack on me. I don't care because I am a sinner and is not perfect. But before you do, please take a moment and put yourself in Mrs. Jahumpa-Ceesay’s position. How would you feel if your mother, wife, sister, aunty, step-mum, or whatever relative is being so publicly insulted in an online newspaper?
I will hate to see anyone whisper an insult at my parents and am sure you too will hate that. Mrs. Jahumpa-Ceesay no matter what she may have done or no matter what her political belief is is a mother, a wife, aunty, sister, cousin, and niece etc to many Gambians who must have been really hurt. We may not share the same political ideologies or beliefs, but I will always respect her constitutionally given rights like every Gambian to belong to any political party of our choice.
Peace.
For comments, write to papak196@yahoo.com or pk@jarju.com
