By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) last Monday launched a Fund for Public Interest Media in Sierra Leone aimed at supporting media viability in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Fund at the Cabenda Hotel in Freetown, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said the initiative was borne out of the many recommendations from the Media Viability Investment Conference held in the country last year by Media Stakeholders.
He noted that the fund is not to be dished out to media houses or individual journalists but to support public interest media work across the country. The president noted the persistent state of the country’s media landscape in terms of revenue stream.
However, he said the launch will be the beginning of a major change in the media industry and expressed his appreciation to the government and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MFCG) for ensuring that the initiative became a success.
Speaking at the event, Edward Kargbo Country Director of BBC Media Action Sierra Leone described the event as a historic one, saying his institution is proud to be part of the success. He said the initiative is a result of many consultations and noted the BBC Media Action’s strive to support and promote media work in the country; saying it is only when the media is free and independent that it can perform its democratic functions. “And this can only happen when the media is viable and resilient to corporate and political pressure,” he said. He noted that the fund cannot address all the challenges of the media but that it was a great step towards addressing those challenges.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray committed government’s support to the success of the Fund, saying that the government is committed to paying its counterpart fund.
The Minister highlighted the strides made by the government to ensure a thriving media industry across the country such as the repeal of part five of the Public Order Act, and the subvention to the journalist group SLAJ among others.
Before he launched the Fund, the BBC Correspondent in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana talked about the struggling state of the mainstream media to survive amidst the threats posed by social media, noting the rise in the number of bloggers across the country. However, he said the people still trust and rely on the traditional media for accurate information. He, therefore, encouraged journalists to stay committed to the job and do the right thing.
Fofana also encouraged charitable orgnisations, corporate entities, and individuals who have the ability to support the fund without trying to influence the job of the journalists. He said that they will only be contributing to the growth and development of democracy, good governance, and the society at large.
The initiative according to the officials is managed and guided by a board that comprises government, Civil Society, Media, and academics to provide policy guidance. It is funded by the International Fund for Public Interest Media.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (21/06/23)
