The Guild of Editors has viewed with utter dismay the ongoing "disgusting and disrespectful" attacks on the Independent Media Commission and its commissioners, a press release from the group said yesterday.
“We wish to remind media practitioners that the IMC is a statutory body set up by parliament at the behest of journalists.
“The Guild of Editors will like to inform the general public that we totally and unreservedly dissociate ourselves from such unbecoming attacks, and condemn them outrightly as unwarranted, uncalled for and out of place in a decent society.
We believe that the media should show respect to the general public by conducting our business in a civilized and dignified manner, and most importantly by being respectful to not only our peers but also our seniors and our immediate authorities.
“While conflicts and disagreements cannot be avoided among individuals, we however believe that attacking the IMC can only further harm the integrity of the media industry and destroy the little respect that we have fought to establish in the eyes of the general public.
“While we in no way support the issues which led to the IMC action involving the Independent Observer editor Jonathan Leigh, we however wish to commend his action in complying with the IMC directives and further urge Mr. Leigh to continue to be respectful and behave in the dignified manner which he has exhibited over this period.
“We wish to draw attention to the UN Secretary General's 9th report to the Security Council on 4th September 2012 (S/2012/679) and its recommendations on the media.
“We lastly wish to register our total support for the IMC and to its continued existence for the promotion of ethical media practice in Sierra Leone. Long live the media in Sierra Leone.”
