David Tam-Baryoh
The main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party has condemned the temporary ban of the weekly radio programme Monologue by the Independent Media Commission on the orders of the Sierra Leone cabinet led by President Ernest Bai Koroma.
In a press release issued yesterday, SLPP referred to the action as a "violation of the Independent Media Commission Act 2000" saying they received the news "with great bewilderment".
It says the "suspension order handed down by the Independent Media Commission (IMC) indicates that the Commission was acting on instructions from Cabinet" saying the party has seen a copy of the IMC letter which it says clearly states that it came as a result of a cabinet conclusion.
The SLPP says the media regulator was set up as "an autonomous body" to regulate the media adding that the law sets out clear criteria for the suspension or cancellation of broadcast licenses which the release says were not followed.
"...We strongly believe that any allegations of violations of journalistic ethics should be reported to the IMC for investigation and correction as enshrined in the Act and the Code of Practice" the statement reads, adding that IMC suspending "a radio station on instructions from the Cabinet, whatever the rationale, is an affront to Press Freedom and equally makes mockery of the due process of law and the repeatedly touted 'human rights credentials' of this President."
SLPP calls on the IMC to "immediately rescind" the suspension order on the Monologue Programme saying the decision "renders the Commission rather squeamish and impotent".
"We call on President Koroma to recant his Cabinet’s decision to usurp the 'independence' of the IMC. We also urge the President to rededicate himself to his vow to uphold the constitution of the land and to also desist forthwith from interfering into the work of institutions that are required to be independent" the release says.
(C) Politico 08/07/14
