On Thursday, 25 July 2024, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, and his team made an official visit to the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Aureole House headquarters, in Freetown. The visit was the first, since the leadership of the Commission changed, ushering in Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa Esq. as Chairman.
Warmly welcoming the Minister and his team, the Chairman of the IMC, Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa, Esq expressed his appreciation for the visit, a visit he noted he had been looking forward to. Chairman Kapuwa spoke about the good working relationship he has developed with his staff in the past three months, highlighting the Commission’s commitment to hitting the ground running and achieving positive outcomes.
The Executive Secretary of the IMC, Kahlil Kallon, introduced the staff members and commissioners serving in various capacities. He also provided an overview of the Commission’s work, outlining several activities undertaken, including the weekly complaint hearings, familiarization visits to regional offices, moving into various Commission offices, alignment of programs with community radio stations, implementation of new policies for print and electronic media, and regional complaint sessions.
Commissioner James Tamba Lebbie, the permanent representative of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in the IMC, provided specifics on the engagements, including national regional consultations, review of the IMC Act (Media Act), regulation of online media, and potential revisions to the Act to include online media. Mr. Lebbie also analyzed the Commission’s pending issues that need to be addressed, including the need for better support for public service media and community radio stations and ensuring that community radio stations are actively operating.
Other speakers, including Commissioners Barrie, Professor Taylor and Mustapha Sesay spoke to the need for adequate and decent space for the Commission’s operations, including the proposed former NATCOM building and capacity building, measures for the smooth and effective running of the Commission, the welfare of the Commission, including the need for improved salaries and sitting allowances for staff and commissioners, capacity enhancement, and the provision of vehicles to aid the Commission’s operations.
In response, Minister Bah expressed his excitement and honor to visit the IMC, acknowledging the challenges faced by the Commission and emphasized the importance of their work. Addressing a concern about resource constraints raised by the Executive Secretary, the Minister announced that the President has increased the budget allocation to the IMC, underscoring the President’s pride in the Commission’s work and revealed that the Ministry is reviewing a policy to align with the IMC’s objectives. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Commission in ensuring media regulation, fighting fake news, and combating hate speech.
Minister Bah noted that many individuals practicing journalism are not registered members of SLAJ and some refuse to register. Minister Bah emphasized the need for the IMC to ensure a fair media space for everyone and to take steps to regulate and monitor the media, including suspending licenses and sanctioning journalists who do not meet the required standards.
Addressing the concerns raised by the commissioners, Minister Bah noted the importance of capacity enhancement, better salaries, and improved working conditions. He also mentioned the need to regulate media houses and ensure payment of dues and advertisements and promised to follow up with the EU and IDEA International regarding the disbursement of funds to the IMC, in addition to advocating for solar systems for community radio stations and engaging with the NATCA boss to discuss the allocation of space for the Commission.
The Minister emphasized the requirement for all media houses to renew their licenses with the IMC and ensure compliance with regulations. Lastly, he reminded the Commission to ensure that media houses provide the required 10 hours of airtime per week to his Ministry.
The meeting concluded with Commissioner Ethel Johnson thanking the Minister for his visit and applauding the Chairman for his proactive leadership in the Commission, commending him for his effective actions and dedication to the Commission’s mission.
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair and balanced media landscape. By regulating media practices, the IMC helps maintain high standards of journalism, protect freedom of expression, and promote ethical conduct among media professionals. Its efforts in combating fake news and hate speech are essential for fostering an informed and cohesive society. The IMC’s work supports public trust in the media and contributes to the democratic process by ensuring that citizens have access to accurate and reliable information.
Credit: Ministry of Information and Civic Education Communications
