By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
In a panel discussion commemorating World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, 2024, the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan Hunt, while giving his assessment of the host country’s media, said some media houses are very constructive on what he described as issues of national importance while others are irresponsible.
The event which took place at the American Shelf at Fourah Bay College was organized by the United States Embassy and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in which the ambassador noted “in my entire year here I have seen some media houses that are tremendously irresponsible,” noting that there are good and bad journalism practiced just like anywhere in the world, citing America as an example.
He called on journalists to get stories balanced, and that they should have the moral obligation to regulate themselves and hold themselves accountable. He also urged the press in Sierra Leone to add quality in their job.
“Press freedom is important,” he said, acknowledging the government for allowing a free press. He went on to commend Sierra Leone and the United States for upholding democratic principles, which he described as a journey.
He said democracy can only work when the electorate and the public are informed. This he said can be achieved when the media operates free and independently.
The Ambassador urged all governments to make sure that journalists are able to carry out their jobs without harassment from the state, without criminal penalty and without civil penalties.
“But at the same time, in a functioning democracy, we look to journalists to regulate themselves,” he emphasised, whilst also pointing out that citizen journalism is becoming “quite vicious.”
Ambassador Hunt said everyone should be exposed to different points of views, but that a journalist focusing all his reports on the government is considered as a practice of bad journalism. “There are things to praise and there are things to criticize the government over,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nassralla described the repealing of the Criminal Libel law that had been in existence for over fifty years, as a landmark initiative.
“The only security for all is the free press,” he said, asserting that democracy thrives when there is enlightened citizenry, which he noted is the fundamental role of the media.
Nasralla emphansised the protection of journalists from attacks from members of the public, assuring that the association will always stand by its members when they are faced with attacks from the audience. “The media space is everybody’s. Journalism is a profession just like politics,” he said.
According to the SLAJ President, independent or public health journalism in Sierra Leone is under-reported, which he acknowledged as a concern to the association, claiming many journalists focus their contents on negative stories about politics. “We have not been doing well in terms of supporting government’s initiatives for example the Free Quality Education,” and called on media houses to sometimes provide a platform to promote the government's agendas.
The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Bawoh in his statement said there is currently zero case of journalists in prison for doing their work.
“When you talk about democracy, the first thing that comes to mind is freedom. And when we talk about freedom it is social and civilized freedom,” Bawoh added.
He accused the media in Sierra Leone of publishing damning stories against the government, but that the government continues to be friendly with the media as seen in the yearly Presidential Media Cocktail.
Meanwhile part of a press release from Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), reminds the government to be committed in upholding the right to freedom of expression and enhancing media freedom at all times.
The release goes on to state how journalists encounter challenges during the course of seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues.
“The MRCG is using the day to recognize the role of the media in enhancing reports on environmental crisis, climate changes, democracy, peace and human rights in the country,” it notes, further reminding the government and development partners to commit towards the public interest media initiative.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (06/05/24)
