By Mabinty M. Kamara
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasrella has welcomed the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) of Sierra Leone, Dr. Victor Massaquoi saying that this is the first time that a SLAJ recommendation for the Chairperson of the media regulating body has been approved.
Speaking to Politico, Nasralla said that the group had previously nominated candidates for the position, including the last appointment but that the governments have always done contrary.
“I felt good that for once they have approved our recommendation for the position and the appointee is somebody that understands the media landscape in Sierra Leone,” he said.
He added that once approved by parliament, he said that he is confident that he will deliver on his mandate to ensure a professional media landscape across the country.
The SLAJ president expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, George S. Khoryama for his service to the media since his appointment in 2018, noting that he played his part despite some challenges encountered.
Dr. Massaquoi was appointed in a letter by the President, Julius Maada Bio dated 26th January 2022. “It has pleased his Excellency, the president Brig, (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio to appoint you as the as Chairman, Independent Media Commission, subject to the approval of parliament,” it reads, citing section (3)2 of the IMC Act of 2020.
Until his appointment, the New Chairman works at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education as the Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Dr. Massaquoi holds a huge portfolio in policy analysis, cooperate training, NGO programme management, and social protection among other experiences. He is a Ph.D. graduate in Development Communication studies and social policy analysis.
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