President Adama Barrow has accused media outlets of fueling division and spreading negative narratives about his administration. Speaking at the State House during a meeting with Muslim elders on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, the president expressed concerns over the role of certain media platforms in shaping public discourse.
“We have journalists in this country who never write about anything positive, only negative news. They believe that good news is not news, but I disagree—good news is still news. Some media houses seem to be praying for chaos in the country; their work, day and night, is to promote conflict and instability,” President Barrow stated.The president also defended his government’s infrastructure projects, particularly road development, highlighting improvements in travel time between Banjul International Airport and the capital.
“Before I became president, traveling from the airport to Banjul could take up to two hours. Now, with the new road infrastructure, it takes just 25 minutes. Yet, some still criticize our efforts. I hear people saying that road infrastructure is not a form of development, but I ask them—can any developed country exist without good roads?” he questioned.President Barrow further emphasized the need for national unity and collective efforts to drive progress, stating that sustained cooperation could transform The Gambia within a decade.
“If we all work together for the good of The Gambia, in five to ten years, people will admire our country. While I may not accomplish everything I envision, the little I have done is already being recognized internationally. Other countries are even coming here for study tours,” he added.
The president’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of his administration, with online media playing a critical role in amplifying both praise and criticism of his governance.
