By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) in collaboration with the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) has popularized elections coverage and reporting Regulations in the Eastern Region of the country.
The event was held at the Albertson Hotel in Kenema where radio station managers, representatives of Political Parties, and Civil Society Organisations were trained on the electioneering guidelines.
In his opening address, the IMC Chairperson, Dr. Victor Massaquoi said the commission ‘’wants to be on the safer side while enforcing the law on media houses that will fall short against the new IMC Act on this election(June)’’.
He said the Commission will continue to create a space that will enhance the development of journalists in Sierra Leone as he said they are working on a project especially for community radio stations to get extra-transmitters for citizens to continue having voices in the governance of the country.
Dr. Massaquoi said that the Commission has approved the opening of a regional office in Kenema to help regulate and monitor all media houses in the region.
The interim Head of IDEA in Sierra Leone, Tawanda Chimhini told the gathering that their role is to help facilitate the work of the IMC through the media to ensure democracy is enhanced.
‘’We are working with the commission to ensure peaceful and democratic elections in Sierra Leone as the media is considered as a reliable source of information by citizens,’’ he said.
In his presentation, the Executive Secretary of IMC, Khalil Kallon referred to the session as important and timely as most of the participants were part of the consultation process across the country. He said one of the objectives of the media training was to get journalists and the other participants to promote democracy, peace, and good governance by providing fair, adequate, and equitable media coverage including reporting on the activities of political parties across the country.
He stated that two of the document initially developed for the print and electronic media regulations have been harmonized into one document which replaces the IMC code of conduct in one document. He said there is now a document that covers everything that deals with elections coverage for both print and electronic media.
He said the document has given additional powers to the commission which constitutes the power of the high court in terms of enforcement, and power to handle all media houses and journalists that may fall short.
Board Member of the IMC, Commissioner James Tamba Lebbie urged media owners to ensure equal allocation of air time to political parties and not to allow parties that have the upper hand in resources to dominate or buy all the air time, depriving other political parties.
Commissioner Lebbie also talked about journalists that are in the habit of copying other people’s work without referencing the author as he said that constitutes another offence in the Act. He cautioned journalists to be mindful of broadcasting untrue or inaccurate information, especially press releases
from political parties without cross-checking from the accredited authorities for confirmation.
He concluded by admonishing media houses and journalists in general not to allow political parties to moderate any radio discussion in their media outlets as they will be held accountable for any utterances from a politician or phone call that might create tension.
Copyright (c) 2023 (31/03/23)
