Press Release 16th July 2013:
- 1. Complaint against Voice of Islam Radio by Alhaji Wusha-Conteh for programme titled: “Weekly Guest”.
The Independent Media Commission received a letter of complaint from Alhaji Wusha-Conteh. He complained that a statement aired on the programme titled “weekly guest” on Voice of Islam radio demonised his character and that he was denied access to respond to allegations made on the programme.
The Complaints Committee met on the above matter. Both parties attended the meeting and agreed to settle that matter amicably. They shook hands and took photographs together. The Board approves the recommendation.
- Complaint by Mr. David Tam-Baryoh against Unity Communications Ltd., Editor B.W Bockarie and a columnist, James Saa Momoh for “endangering his life and that of his family”.
The IMC received a letter of complaint from Mr. David Tam-Baryoh, Proprietor of Citizen Radio. He complained that in the article on page 8 published in the Unity Newspaper of Friday November 23, 2013, his life, family and properties were endangered.
The Complaints Committee met on the above matter, and having considered the article and the testimonies of both parties at its hearing, decided that a retraction acceptable to the complainant and to the IMC be published in the Unity Newspaper within seven (7) days of receipt of this Press Release. The Board approves the recommendation.
- 3. Complaint against Pa Alie Sesay of Eagle Africa Radio by Mr. Benka- Coker, Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association for defamatory statements made on their weekly sport programme
The Independent Media Commission received a letter of complaint from Mr. Sidney O. Benka-Coker, Secretary-General, Sierra Leone Cricket Association. He complained that the statements made on the radio during a sport programme were defamatory against the Cricket Association.
The Complaints Committee met on the above matter and having considered the content of the programme and the testimonies of both parties decided that:-
- failing to produce the recording of the offending programme as contained in the IMC Code of Practice which stipulates that all “live-phone-in programmes should be recorded and made available on demand to the IMC within 30 days of broadcast”, constitutes a breach of the aforesaid provision in the IMC Code of Practice;
- the fact that Pa Alie Sesay of Eagle Radio was unable to justify the allegations that he made against the Cricket Association, the Committee decided that the radio station be issued with a warning letter;
Presenter Pa Alie Sesay was also ordered to do a retraction on his radio station of the offending statements made against the Cricket Association. The Board approves the recommendation.
- 4. Complaint by Pastor and Mrs. Mustapha Kargbo against Mr. Prince C. Kamara, Deputy Editor, ARIOGBO Newspaper for article captioned: “Pastor caught red handed in illicit sex” with a young lady in the same compound.
The IMC received a letter of complaint from Edrina Chambers on behalf of Pastor Mustapha Kargbo. The Chambers complained that in the article captioned: “Pastor Kargbo was allegedly caught red handed in illicit sex with a ‘minor’ and that the story was fibricated to demean their client in the eyes of the public.
The Complaints Committee met on the above matter, and having considered the article and the testimonies of both parties at its hearing , decided that the key witness proved unreliable and that there was insufficient evidence to establish whether the alleged act was done or not.
The Committee also decided that Mr. Prince C. Kamara should publish and send a letter of apology to Daniel Kargbo, the Pastor’s son, for bringing his name into disrepute as he was not in anyway connected with the alleged incident.
Members cautioned Mr. Prince C. Kamara, Deputy Editor, Ariogbo Newspaper to do his work in a more professional manner and to always adhere to the IMC Code of Practice. The Board approves the recommendation.
- Letter of Complaint against the Managing Editor, Sierra Express Media by Mrs. Mariatu Kabia, Finance Officer at the SLRTC.
The Independent Media Commission received a letter of complaint from Mrs. Mariatu Kabia, Finance Officer at the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC) for an article published in the Sierra Express Media with the caption – “Corruption case looms....Panic Grips SLRTC”.
The paper reported that “following the Auditor General’s report 2011, over Le110,000,000,000 (One hundred and ten billion Leones) that was allegedly squandered by officials of the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC), panic is reported to have gripped the administration”.
Mrs. Kabia said the article was malicious and aimed at tarnishing her character.
The Managing Editor, Sierra Express Media, Mr. Joseph Lebbie, informed members of the IMC Complaints Committee that he has just taken over the management of the paper and that he inherited series of problems.
He said he was willing to work with the Commission and ready to comply with whatever decision the Complaints Committee may arrive at.
The newspaper Editor has since tendered his apologies to the complainant, as well as a retraction of the entire story to the satisfaction of Mrs, Mariatu Kabia. The Board approves the recommendation.
- 6. Complaint against the Managing Editor, Peep Magazine Newspaper – for article captioned: “Chief Justice’s brother in land dispute with 73 year old grandma”.
The Independent Media Commission received a letter of complaint from Yada Williams & Associates on behalf of Arc. Alpha O. Tejan-Jalloh. The Chambers complained that the article published in Peep Magazine dated 30th May 2011 was a defamatory publication, libellous and aimed at bringing the name of their client into disrepute in the eyes of right thinking members of the society, both within and outside Sierra Leone.
The Complaints Committee met on the above matter, and having considered the article and the testimonies of both parties at its hearing, the Managing Editor admitted the inaccuracy on the said article, apologised and promised to do a retraction. Members asked Mr. Tejan Jalloh to consider the apology of the Managing Editor in the name of peace.
The Complaints Committee resolved that the Managing Editor do a retraction both in the print media and on the web. The Board approves the recommendation.
- Complaint against the Managing Editor, Spectator Newspaper by Mrs. Salamatu Turay – for article captioned: “Constituency 112 MP to go RUFP”.
The Independent Media Commission received a letter of complaint from Mrs. Salamatu Turay. She complained that the Spectator Newspaper had published erroneous articles against her person which she described as malicious, unfounded and a deliberate attempt to tarnish her hard won reputation for which she was seeking redress from the Commission.
The Complaints Committee met on the above matter, and having considered the article and the testimonies of both parties at its hearing, Mr. Victor Lewis, Managing Editor of the Spectator Newspaper, apologised on behalf of his paper to Mrs. Turay and promised to do a retraction.
