By Politico staff writer
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and his executive members are set to take the association through the next three years with a new manifesto commitment called the MEAL manifesto.
The transition from the SALT Manifesto which stands for Stimulate/Strengthen, Appreciate, Listen/Learn, and Transfer, to the MEAL, the acronym for Mobilize, Evaluate, Allocate and Liberate was officiated on the 23rd of July in Bo at a retreat held to orientate the new executive.
The SALT Manifesto targeted the mindsets of journalists and reinforced their roles and responsibilities with regard to responsible practice and the overall growth of the media in Sierra Leone.
While the new manifesto MEAL will seek to consolidate the gains made in the SALT manifesto by continuing with the SLAJ project of defending, promoting, and protecting free speech and free media whilst strengthening financial sustainability and accountability at national and regional levels.
Speaking at the Orientation, President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla noted that when running for office three years ago he promised to look into the welfare of journalists, address the gender imbalance in SLAJ and the media, provide mentorship and training for members, and advocate for the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law.
He said to a large extent his executive succeeded in achieving the SALT manifesto promises.
Key among the successes he said include the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law and the passing of the IMC Act 2020, the annual Government of Sierra Leone subvention to SLAJ (which has been increased by H.E. President Bio), launching of a Journalism Welfare Fund to promote public interest journalism and support journalists in times of emergencies, establishing a Gender Advisory Panel to help SLAJ address the gender imbalance in the media, increasing the membership intake (with the highest number of female members) whilst attracting a lot of qualified people with various academic credentials among several other achievements.
President Nasralla also mentioned the national media viability and investment conference and its prospect of establishing a national basket fund to support public interest journalism in Sierra Leone; the biggest gains ever made in the World Press Freedom rankings since the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, and successful celebration of the Associations 50th Independence Anniversary.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the membership of SLAJ for the overwhelming confidence reposed in him to continue as President of SLAJ for the second and final term unopposed.
President Nasralla thanked the Government, of Sierra Leone and other partners for their continued support to media development initiatives and for ensuring Sierra Leone joins the Global Media Coalition.
Conclusively, President Nasralla noted that in implementing the MEAL manifesto he shall use his usual approach of teamwork, inclusivity (leaving no one behind), dialogue, engagement, consultations, and receptive to constructive criticism.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (25/07/22)
