By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The National Coordinator for the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) Dr. Francis Sowa Esq has called for safety and more mechanism for Journalists in the country.
He made this called on 27 September 2024, at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ) 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Bo.
According to Dr. Sowa Esq, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) should take concrete steps to enhance and safeguard its independence thereby ensuring that it is able to function as a trade union, acting in the interests of its members in the country.
He added that it should seek to secure its funding largely from members’ fees and play a role in self-regulation and upholding professional standards.
He congratulated SLAJ on holding another Annual General Meeting (AGM). With The theme for this year’s AGM- CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD: New Constitution for an Inclusive and Stronger SLAJ- is unique and special for many reasons.
He admitted that the theme for this year’s AGM resonates with Recommendation 2 of the NATIONAL ACTION PLAN developed at the end of the NATIONAL MEDIA VIABILITY AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE.
“The theme for this year’s AGM resonates with Recommendation 2 of the NATIONAL ACTION PLAN developed at the end of the NATIONAL MEDIA VIABILITY AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE,” he said.
According to him the said Recommendation provides that “The existing legal and regulatory framework for the media needs to be reviewed.” Sub recommendation 3 notes that “The media should commit to re-engineering the industry in order to boost the potential for attracting private-sector investment and public subsidies” further provides that…”
He said Just yesterday, he read an article about the Nation Media Viability and Investment Conference indicating that “The much-hyped media viability conference held years ago now appears to have been a mere facade.” He said Recommendation 6 states that government and development partners should commit to a national fund for public interest media.
He mentioned that while they understand the high hopes but also the frustration of the writer, as manager of the Fund, he would like to point out that it was still a work in progress. He said With Support from IFPIM, they have established the Secretariat; there was now a multi-stakeholder board for the Fund chaired by their President- who would speak about the Fund. He said they have the operating framework, including the Technical Committee ready to receive and process applications for the grant. He said they hope the government would fulfil the long-awaited promise by providing its own amount to the Fund.
He noted that the AGM should be of proper reflection and resolve to achieve one aim-leaving this place with an adopted constitution on to ensure an inclusive and stronger SLAJ. It is time for the physician to heal thyself.
“This AGM should be of proper reflection and resolve to achieve one aim-leaving this place with an adopted constitution on to ensure an inclusive and stronger SLAJ. It is time for the physician to heal thyself,” he said.
