The co-host of Kerr Fatou Show, Fatou Touray, has rubbished claims made by the management of State-owned TV that the program was yanked off the air due to the coverage of the 2018 Local Government and Municipal Council elections campaign.Viewers of the popular TV show on Gambia Radio Television Services (GRTS) were left baffled on Thursday night after their favourite program was canceled.
“I got a call Thursday at around 6:30 pm from GRTS, informing me that the program will not be aired. ,” Fatou Touray told this reporter in an exclusive interview.
Over these past months, Kerr Fatou show has been one of the rare TV programs that was able to grow its audience. As the tiny West African nation is enjoying a new democratic dispensation, the new TV show is aimed at discussing hot topics in the news involving the country’s political figures, celebrities etc.
Fatou Touray said she was told that it has to do with political broadcasting, but she was quick to add: “In spite of the political campaign coverage, the TV show has been going on for the past two weeks.”
She went further to say that all TV shows have not been put on hold, adding that the move taken by the national broadcaster is not justified. “Perspective was aired on Friday night as well as series of religious programs. Why Kerr Fatou?” she opined
Suspecting a foul play as it is the second time Kerr Fatou show was taken off air, the TV star confided to this reporter that GRTS Director General Ebrima Sillah told her it is because she interviewed some mayoral candidates and left others.
“GRTS boss did not watch the tape because I made it clear that it was the first batch of mayoral aspirants. Other candidates were supposed to appear in subsequent episodes,” she said while indicating that they had the opportunity to film all candidates in three episodes.
“I have communication with even those who refused to come to the program,” she stated.
When asked whether GRTS decision to shut down Kerr Fatou may contravene the contract binding them, she declined to comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, a top GRTS official (name withheld), who spoke to this reporter, said they are busy carrying out their public service mission, and don’t have time to respond to a social media rant.
“We are mandated by the Constitution to bring all the candidates. We have no problem with anybody,” she assured.
She said they particularly informed all their partners about the political coverage that has to take centre stage during elections time.
“Even our 10 o’ clock news is offing. The Director General doesn’t have the power to stop people’s program,” she added. “We cannot break the rules.”
Gambia is recovering from two-decade long dictatorship by the Jammeh regime that was marked by continued clampdown on the media, forcing many journalists to flee the country for fear of reprisals. The new regime has vowed to promote democracy in creating an enabling environment for the media. But recent setbacks have ignited fears of possible attempts by the new administration to muzzle the press.
Written by Abdoulie JOHN
It’s unwise to express views based on a one sided narrative, but if the Kerr Fatou’s version is anything to go by, then I would say the reason given by GRTS management is a very, very bad excuse.
The GRTS Management, where the Fatou Show is suspected of bias, should have drawn the show’s attention to this fact and demanded that the anomaly be rectified. The action to suspend the show (a power I don’t think the GRTS Management should have) can ONLY be justified if the show had repeatedly refused to address issues of seeming bias brought to its attention by the GRTS Management.
There is ample evidence to Kerr Fatou’s defence that they had shown absolute political neutrality and had hosted almost all the political leaders since their inception.
Whatever the reason(s) for pulling the show off air, the GRTS must not be left to stifle public debate, as the Kerr Fatou Show is leading forum for airing divergent views.
Hello Gambians and fellow citizens. The on and again, off again pulling off from the Air of the “Kerr Fatou Show” by Proxy of the UDP Regime especially, during the last days of a Political Campaign “Smells” or “Stinks” of Political Intolerance at the least and Despotism at Worst. Reinstate and Hands off “Kerr Fatou Show”. Let the Market of Gambian Public Opinion decide what to watch or listen to. The Adama Barrow-UDP Regime cannot be a Credible Critic of the Jammeh regime and then turn around and Commit the same Acts and Behavior they Criticize the Jammeh regime. Gambians of all Creed, Political affiliation, Tribe or Region need to hold the current Gambian Regime to Strict Scrutiny Standards when it comes to the Matters of Free Press, Free Speech, Freedom of Assembly and Public Security for all. These are the Foundations of any meaningful Democratic Dispensation. A violation or denial of these by any government or regime however, intended or constructed is simply a Corrupt and Despotic attempt by a government or regime to Silence the “Messengers” the government or regime does not like or is in favor of. Did the UDP Regime go after the “Keba Kacha” Show, the Sarjo Barrow “Show”, their Online News Outlet, “KIBARO” which they Camouflage as News. They use the GRTS Management as Proxy to do their Dirty Political Propaganda. That is, using the UDP Political Party Agents within the Upper and Middle Management Levels at GRTS to do What the UDP Regime and Party Extreamist Militants want. Using GRTS Management allows the real Culprits, the UDP Regime’s Politicians to have “Plausible deniability”. However, Gambians know when they are being “played” for a fool. The three and other “Talking-heads” and “Mouthpieces” for Adama Barrow, Usainou Darbo and Mrs. Jallow Tambajang’s Regime are not Harrassed, Intimidated or Molested because they are doing the UDP Party’s Propaganda Diatribe. More accurately, Tribal Narratives. Reinstate and Hands off “Kerr Fatou” Show. Gambia is more than the Sum Total of One Party, Tribe or Region.