By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Minister of Information and Communication, Mohamed Rahman Swaray has urged media practitioners to be more responsible in the discharge of their duty as the government continues to ensure a free and pluralistic press in Sierra Leone.
The minister made this statement while addressing journalists from across the country at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist’s (SLAJ)Annual General Meeting(AGM) held in Bo, southern Sierra Leone.
He noted that this year’s AGM and the celebration of the association’s 50th Anniversary is remarkable given the repeal of Part V of the 1965 Public Order Act which he said has triggered great expectations of a vibrant media and robust civil society, and of a strengthened democracy.
The Minister explained that the mandate of his Ministry includes promoting the free flow of information between the government and the media, and which, by extension, means the people.
“We will continue our work to foster free, independent, and pluralistic media—be it print, broadcast or online media. I am convinced that free and independent media can enhance freedom of expression and contribute to the development of society,” he said.
He noted that while the 1991 constitution guarantees for every citizen the right to freedom of expression, state, and non-state actors can take advantage of this provision. “I must point out that such right should never be exercised in a manner that incites violence and unrest in the society. When free speech is deliberately exercised to stoke violence or advance selfish interests, it undermines the important role of the media in society,” he said.
He added: “As we enjoy these freedoms, we must be mindful that the very constitution that grants us freedom of expression also places responsibilities in how free that freedom is exercised. Indeed, in democratic dispensations, free speech is exercised within the confines of the law and order. In other words, freedom of expression is not absolute; it is a qualified right.”
Swaray went on to say that in as much as there are many examples of how freedom of the press or the exercise of free speech has advanced the cause of justice, social cohesion and solidarity, such as post-apartheid South Africa, leading to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison,“yet, there are other instances in which the right to free speech has been deployed to tear societies apart, the 1994 Rwanda Genocide is an example. Ladies and gentlemen, I say to you today: let’s be mindful of the choice we make. I believe that the media is a key part of society and that media practitioners cannot destroy the society they are a part of. This, to me, encapsulates the concept of social responsibility. And I commend it to you.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission, George Khoryama said the regulatory body wants an effective collaboration with SLAJ for better working relationship.
He added that his institution and SLAJ have traveled across the country to sensitize journalists on the new IMC Act which he said captured the Welfare of journalists, NASSIT, increased salary, among others.
The chairman acknowledged that media houses are now complying with the IMC Act and encouraged journalists to love one another and move away from pettiness.
In his statement, SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the association could not come together for its AGM last year and was instead done virtually through Zoom.
Formed on the 5th June 1971, Nasralla noted that their members have over the years been arrested and locked up but that they have continued to hold people to account for their stewardship.
He added that SLAJ played a pivotal role not only on Convid-19 but also during the Ebola outbreak in the country.
In his keynotes address during the opening ceremony of the two day event, Dr. Babatude A. Ahonsi, UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone commended Sierra Leonean journalists for their role in ensuring the repeal of the criminal libel law in the country while congratulating SLAJ on its 50th anniversary.
He urged the media to be professional and responsible with their reports for the peace and development of the country.
“Now that we're in 2021, moving to electoral calendar, the media should balance their stories and unbiased reports for peace", he said adding that peace is very important for the development of Sierra Leone.
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