By Saio Marrah
Yeanor Kabia, one of the presidential candidates in the upcoming Sierra Leone Reporters Union Election, has during the launch of her campaign manifesto, promised to improve the welfare of union members.
At the unveiling ceremony of her manifesto titled: “Rebranding Reporters Union” in Freetown on Wednesday 17th July, 2024, she promised to engage media owners and managers on the issue of salary for reporters especially those who have been volunteering for six months and over.
Ms. Kabia assured colleague journalists present at the event that her leadership will advocate for reporters to be enrolled for the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), develop a robust safety protocol in collaboration with relevant authorities to protect reporters from physical threats, harassment, and violence.
She promised to ensure training of reporters on safety measures, solicit legal support for journalists facing threats, and embark on resource mobilization for the sustainability of the union.
She mentioned introducing capacity building through skills development, training and mentorship programmes for reporters.
Kabia also pledged to introduce recognition and award schemes to reward outstanding journalists on an annual basis, which she said would serve as motivation and inspire members to strive for excellence.
Among her other campaign promises are rejuvenating SLRU secretariat and building a comprehensive membership database for an effective and efficient union.
Gender equality, collaboration with other institutions, and technology integration were among what she promised to work towards achieving.
Ms. Kabia is currently a reporter, presenter and producer at Radio Democracy based in Freetown. She also served as the outreach and partnership Coordinator at Strong Girls Evolution.
Samuel Ibrahim Koroma, her main challenger for the SLRU presidency is also campaigning on improving the welfare of journalists. He told Politico in an interview that he would be engaging media owners not only to put their reporters on salary but to also pay above the current minimum wage, saying reporters are the bloodline of all media outlets.
He promised to lobby for reporters to benefit from the NASSIT scheme, capacitate reporters and ensure their specialization on a particular topic.
He also promised to bring in partnerships and scholarship for reporters, boasting of having built connections with media and media related organizations in and out of the country.
He described the current SLRU as a dormant union and intends to resuscitate it and make it vibrant.
Mustapha M.K. Sesay, one of the founding members of SLRU and presently Commissioner at the Independent Media Commission says the eventual winner of the election should address issues bordering on the welfare of reporters, which he said was the core mandate of the union when it was formed by him and Edward Marrah, after it was formed by veteran Journalist and Parliamentarian -Ibrahim Ben Kargbo in the year 2002.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (22/07/24)
