By Mabinty M. Kamara
In realisation of the importance in ensuring the safety and security of journalists in the line of duty, Media Practitioners, Security Personnel, Civil Society activists, Government functionaries including those from the judiciary, and as well individuals from media regulatory and coordinating bodies, have in a meeting approved a draft document and a National Coordinating Committee to oversee the safety of journalist in Sierra Leone.
During the meeting that was facilitated by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana and UNESCO IPDC in Freetown on the 6th of July 2022, the participants held open discussions surrounding the Safety of Journalists in the country.
The Consultant Joseph Patrick Kamara presented a "Comprehensive National Framework for the Safety of Journalists in Sierra Leone" that was discussed, reviewed, and accepted by the participants. The committee he presented comprised representatives of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, the security sector, the Ministry of Information and Communications, Civil Society organizations, Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), Media Reform Coordinating Group, and the Independent Media Commission.
Speaking at the event, the Public Relations Officer of WIMSAL, Eastina Taylor said that female journalists are mostly affected where security issues are of concern. “Because of this, most female journalists shy away or self-censor themselves, in fear of their safety", she said.
She quoted a report by UNESCO that states that women journalists and female media workers face offline and online attacks, putting their safety at risk. “The attacks range from violence, stigmatisation, sexist hate speech, physical assault, etc” she went on.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of Information and Communications at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Nancy Koroma said the initiative in drafting the National Framework on the safety of journalists was timely considering the fact that safety is a basic need for independent media.
She noted that the MIC has been closely monitoring the State of Media Reports, Press statements from SLAJ and its constituent bodies on issues regarding attacks on journalists, NASSIT or Insurance/Welfare funds for journalists, attractive conditions of service and COVID 19 protection for staff. She acknowledged that the role of the Government under the current dispensation is to enhance policies, strategies, and programmes that ensure protection, prevention and prosecution.
“The MIC, therefore, considers safety as an all-embracing concept that includes the physical, psycho-social, digital, and legal domains equally. We believe that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, as the safety challenges vary per context and therefore the solutions differ as well. We, therefore, encourage participants to proffer the three-pillar approach (or 3P approach) to this discussion that is: Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution,” she said.
She added that: “In Sierra Leone women journalists face threats, violence, abuse, and sexual assault while doing their work. Female freelancers are even more vulnerable as they rarely have institutional support and resources to ensure their safety. Sexual harassment is another challenge, both within newsrooms and in the field. I therefore, recommend that this multi-stakeholder engagement on the national framework on the safety of journalists in Sierra Leone ensures that gender is considered in all decisions and actions in relation to the safety of journalists”.
She assured that Sierra Leone as a member state of the UN and EU, and the Ministry will allow journalists to work in a free and enabling environment without fear of censorship or restraint.
In his statement, the President SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla noted that there has been a decrease in the number of attacks, intimidation, and assaults on journalists.
He said both the security personnel and the media work in the interest of the public. Therefore, he said working together and understanding each other’s roles could achieve the desired goal that is of public interest.
"The media and security sector perform different roles in our democracy towards a common goal: serving the interest of the general public. It is when we decide to serve other interests that lead to a breakdown in safety and security of journalists," he said.
In his statement, the deputy Police Media and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Bobson Senu said that both the media and the police play unique roles in society despite the fact that they sometimes have conflicting interests in the execution of their duties.
He acknowledged that the job of the police is to ensure a safe and secured environment for all including journalists. He assured that the Sierra Leone Police will continue to provide the necessary protection for the journalists in the discharge of their duties.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (08/07/22)
