By Haddy Gaye.
Journalism serves the public interest by explaining systems that influence society, the economy and national development. Intellectual property (IP) is one such system. Yet it remains underreported despite its direct impact on creativity, innovation and livelihoods.
ARIPO’s annual recognition of journalists who report on IP highlights the media’s responsibility to inform the public about patents, trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs. These rights define ownership, protect original work and support innovation across sectors.
The Gambia continues to record a steady increase in IP registrations. Each registration reflects an individual or institution turning an idea into protected value. These developments deserve consistent media attention. When journalists report on innovation, they strengthen public awareness and contribute to an accurate national record.
IP reporting is human-interest journalism. It focuses on people such as inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, researchers and small business owners whose work contributes to national growth. It also demands ethical reporting grounded in accuracy, balance and clarity in line with professional journalism standards.
Journalists can engage meaningfully in this area through:
● Profiles of Gambian inventors and creatives
● Reporting on newly registered patents, trademarks and copyrights
● Stories showing how IP supports small businesses, youth and women
● Coverage of indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions
● Analysis of innovation trends within The Gambia
The Office of the Registrar General remains a key source of verified information on IP registrations and emerging innovations. Working closely with the office improves accuracy and public understanding.
The Registrar General, Mr Abdoulie Colley, emphasizes that “to promote creativity and sustainable development in The Gambia, government stakeholders must strengthen intellectual property awareness, modernize IP laws and institutions, support innovation through education and financing, protect the rights of creators, and foster partnerships between government, academia, industry, and the creative sector. By doing so, intellectual property becomes a legal tool and a catalyst for innovation, cultural expression, job creation, and national economic growth.”
By integrating intellectual property into regular reporting, journalists fulfil their duty to inform, educate, and document national progress. IP journalism is part of responsible and forward-looking practice.