Mustapha K Darboe - Profile and Journalist Details
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Mustapha K Darboe
Verified
Editor-in-Chief, The Republic (GM)
Gambia
Beats
Biography
Gambia experienced a military dictatorship between 1994 to 2016. During this period, several journalists were tortured, at least two killed and dozens exiled. Investigative journalism, during this period, was non-existent in the Gambian media. A change of government in 2016 broadened the democratic space, allowing the government to do their work freely. There could not have been a greater need for investigative media. Mustapha K Darboe stepped in. Darboe, a co-publisher of Gambia’s first specialized investigative journalism platform, Malagen, is credited for bringing back an era recognised as the rebirth of investigative journalism in the West African country. In 4 years, Darboe’s work led to at least 4 court cases, one ongoing investigation and several reforms at public institutions. He published at least 12 major investigations in 4 years, exposing flawed procurements, bribery, among others. By setting a precedent as the first journalist in Gambian history to send a high-ranking government official to prison for corruption, he has demonstrated the transformative power of investigative journalism in holding those in power accountable and promoting transparency and accountability. Mustapha started his journalism career in 2014 at a national newspaper in The Gambia, when the media environment was highly restricted under authoritarian President Yahya Jammeh. Despite the challenging environment at the time, he rose through the ranks at Today Newspaper and was one of the most trusted national correspondents covering politics, human rights, and justice. Until January 2024, Darboe was the head of the investigation desk and a founding co-publisher at Malagen, The Gambia’s leading investigative journalism outlet. Mustapha K Darboe is multiple award-winning investigative journalist, winning journalist of the year award since the national journalism award started in the West African country in 2016. In 2023, Darboe’s investigation into illegal rosewood trafficking from rebel-controlled areas of South of Senegal into the Gambia for export to China won the Africa Investigative Journalism Award (PAJI) co-organised by Franco-African platform of journalists Media & Democracy (M&D) and Center for the Study of Information Science and Technology (CESTI). In January 2024, after four years at Malagen, an investigative journalism outfit he co-founded, Darboe left to start The Republic, another investigative outfit. By the end of the year, one of his investigations into a British-based charity, Project Rescue Children, triggered a police investigation.
Procurement, Mining , Environmental Crimes, Public Finance, Audience Interest
Sports, religion, science
Content
By Mustapha K Darboe Verified, Andrew Weir| Africa Confidential Verified PREVIEW A US-sanctioned Russian illegally imported US$29 million worth of diesel to The Gambia, sold it there, and sent the money to the UAE, but the authorities seem uninterested An Africa Confidential Special Report By Mustapha K Darboe and Andrew Weir Read this Special Report for free here: Russian sanctions-busters find a Gambian haven Prepared for Free Article on 14/11/2024 at 19:00.
Price Of Publicity: How Selected Gambian Media Get Hefty Cheques To “portray Good Image Of The Government” – The Standard Newspaper | Gambia
By Mustapha K Darboe Verified| The Standard (Gambia) Verified By Mustapha K DarboeHalf of the D40 million contract that The Gambia government signed with selected private media companies was paid in February. The Republic has found out that two of the seven contracted entities that cumulatively received close to 30% of the total contract sum are allegedly owned by one person.
By Mustapha K Darboe Verified, Modou Joof| factcheckgambia.org@ By Mustapha K. DarboeSince his appointment as the new information minister, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, has increased the government’s engagement with the media through various media platforms. He has appeared on several media platforms to share information on a number of issues affecting the people. ClaimIn an appearance on popular Kerr Fatou show on April 25 (1h, 49s), the information minister claims: “Gambia is the most secure country in the sub-region…”.
Company Info
The Republic (GM)