President’s UNGA Claim ‘no political prisoner since 2017’ is misleading

Claim: No political prisoner, journalist and human rights defender had been jailed since 2017 Source: President Adama Barrow Verdict: Misleading Gambian President Adama Barrow claimed at the 79th UN General Assembly that there had been no jailing of political prisoners, including human rights defenders and journalists, in the country since 2017. However, Malagen's media monitoring and fact-checking verified this claim as misleading. The president made the claim during his UNGA speech delivered on Thursday, September 26 2024 held at the New York headquarters in New York, United States. On page 9 of the statement, he made the following assertions:  "I am happy to...

September 27, 2024Factchecking, Uncategorized
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Factcheck: Dr Ceesay Falsely Suggests ‘Sadam Rice’ is Cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue and environs

Kaddy Jawo Claim: Saddam rice is cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue. Source: Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay Verdict: False Appearing on the State of the Nation radio programme aired on GRTS Radio on September 5th, 2024, the Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, suggested that the price of a bag of ‘Sadam’ rice is cheaper in the provincial town of Basse than in the Kairaba Avenue area, which is located within the Kanifing Municipality. Credit: From Africa Press Net site Ceesay, alongside Trade and Employment Minister Baboucarr Joof, were discussing various issues affecting the cost of living in The Gambia amid public...

September 18, 2024Election Hub, Factchecking, Media Monitoring
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Factsheet: Performance of Gambian Students in WASSCE 2024

By Kaddy Jawo The West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results have been released with more than 18,000 Gambian registered students took the regional standard test to conclude their secondary education level. In this factsheet, we analyse the public data provided by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) following the release of the results in August. Number of students registered for WASSCE According to the Ministry, 18,042 Gambian Grade 12 students were registered to take the exam. The number is representative of 148 senior secondary schools across the country, administered by West Africa Examination Council. WASSCE credential is a requirement for...

September 12, 2024Analysis, Factchecking, Media Monitoring, News in Graphs
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Factsheet: All You Need to Know as Michael Sang Correa’s Trial Begins Next Month in the US

Come September, Michael Sang Correa, one of the most prominent members of the former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh’s special assassin team ‘jungulars’ is set to appear before the US court in Colorado. Correa, now 45, was indicted by the US Justice Department on seven counts for his role in inflicting torture and suffering on victims, especially following the 2006 alleged coup attempt to remove Jammeh from power. He has also been accused of having participated in the extrajudicial killings of journalists Dayda Hydara in 2004, Chief Ebrima Manneh in 2012, and the murder of Gambian-Americans Alhagie Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe in...

August 22, 2024Election Hub, Factchecking, Media Monitoring, Uncategorized
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Dangerous speech alert: Barrow tells NPP supporters to stand firm, and fight back

The Gambian President Adama Barrow has called on his National People's Party (NPP) supporters to stand firm and fight anyone who insulted them.  The president’s remarks were captured in a viral audio circulating on WhatsApp. The recording was made during the launch of NPP’s newly constructed political bureau in Badibu Kerewan, North Bank Region on Wednesday May 22, 2024.  On May 9th, State House announced that President Barrow will embark on outside office activities to tour industrial areas and inaugurate rural health centres starting May 10 and returning on May 23. Such activities have already taken place as planned.  Photo credit: State House...

May 25, 2024Factchecking, Media Monitoring
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FAKE! NAWEC has no free 70kWh units for customers in celebration of Christmas 

Source: Social media Verdict: Fake A short-composed message went viral on Tuesday on social media, especially in WhatsApp groups, indicating that the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is offering 70kWh free units to all its customers. Claim:  The viral message claims:  “NAWEC is offering 70 kWh free units to all customers to celebrate Christmas and the new year. Click CONTINUE below to verify your meter number and get the offer. Merry Christmas from NAWEC! Kindly validate your NAWEC Meter Number to proceed to the next step. Note! The offer is for all customers.” FactCheck A verification of the URL link accompanying the information has shown...

December 12, 2023Factchecking
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Dangerous speech alert: UDP supporter makes inciteful comments, calls for First Lady to be attacked and killed…

In a Whatsapp audio circulating on the messaging platform, Mr Alieu Kora known as International Jato has called on members of his party, main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), to mobilise, attack and kill the first lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow and her delegation when they visit the town of Bakau.

May 19, 2023Election Hub, Factchecking, Media Monitoring
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Hate speech alert: NPP supporter attacks Bensouda as non-Gambian

A ruling NPP supporter identified as Jali Burama Jobarteh has made comments flagged by Malagen media monitoring as hate speech. The viral video clip has been published widely on social media and online news media. His hateful comments are directed at the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Talib Ahmed Bensouda. He describes Bensouda as a non-Gambian and calls on the electorate to vote against him based on his origin.

May 19, 2023Election Hub, Factchecking
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