The Gambia government said Wednesday that the reforms of media laws are in progress to facilitate the country's media operation.

Demba Ali Jawo, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, said the media need laws that will help them operate without hindrance.

The existing draconian laws that were enacted by the former president were believed to have led to the arrest and imprisonment of many Gambian journalists.

"There is currently a committee that we formed with the Gambia Press Union. This committee is to look at a complete roadmap on media reform," Jawo told Xinhua.

According to him, the Gambia government has started discussion with international stakeholders, including Article 19, the United Nations and the European Union.

He said his ministry had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Article 19 that also includes reform agenda.

"As soon as the committee is done with their task, they will submit it to the ministry for possible recommendation and then we will take it to national assembly to repeal, amend or create friendly laws," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2017)