By Crispina Cummings
Five journalists appointed by President Ernest Bai Koroma to serve as commissioners on the board of the Independent Media Commission were interviewed by the Committee on Appointments in parliament on Monday.
University Lecturer, Williette James – nominated to become Chairperson of the commission – described herself as “a bold, resilient and strong woman” assuring that she had “what it takes to effectively run the IMC.”
She told the committee that to demonstrate her strength of character she had unsuccessfully contested, and lost, for high positions in the executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists but that that did not dampen her determination to continue serving the media industry.
Mrs. James took the committee through her previous work experience at Salone Times Newspaper where she said she took the organisation through a “change management” process that was very challenging but turned out successfully in the end.
“I know how to deal with recalcitrant people...I mean those who don't obey the law...It's not a physical fight because I know how to use the pen well and I will be firm with my words and policies and follow the IMC Act to the letter” she said.
When chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Bundu, MP, informed Mrs. James that she wasn’t recommended for the job by SLAJ, she replied that she was actually nominated by the president separately from other nominees whose names were forwarded by SLAJ.
The committee also interviewed for commissioners Francis Sowa, another lecturer from the Mass Communication department at FBC; Dauda Bangura proprietor of Owl Newspaper, Patricia Ganda of Star Radio and James Williams of Awoko Newspaper.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chernor Maju Bah, described Mr. Sowa as a “disciplined young man” and wished him well.
© Politico 04/11/14
