By Crispina Cummings
Vice president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and some association members have paid a courtesy call on the parliamentary press gallery in appreciation of their work but also to build on their relationship. Stanley Bangura thanked the gathering for their support, commended the good relationship between the press and parliament and admonished them to base that rapport on integrity. He said the new executive was working towards a new approach to modern journalism and was also working tirelessly to change the media landscape in the country. He called on members of the press gallery to lobby parliament to see reason to pass the Freedom of Information bill into law “for the good of everyone, not just journalists in Sierra Leone”. He also stated that SLAJ was now part of the constitutional review committee to amend certain parts, especially Part 5 of the 1965 Public Order Act which criminalises libel. Bangura told his colleagues that “yellow journalism must stop” and very soon a toll-free line would be given out to the public to report journalists who are harassing people. He urged all journalists to be members of SLAJ because the association would only cater for paid-up members. (C) Politico 12/09/13
