Press Release: Freetown 24th May 2023: The Independent Media Commission Complaints Committee Conducts Hearings on Matter Before the Commission.

The Complaint Committee of the Independent Media Commission on Tuesday, 23^rd and Wednesday 24^th May 2023 at the Commission`s Headquarters 54 Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown, conducts hearings on matters before the Commission as follows;

1. Complaint from Ahmad Senousi Sesay, on behalf of Al-Sheefa Arab Clinic against Sky Times Newspaper for publication dated 1^st September 2022 headlined “Al-Sheefa Arab Clinic Accused of Employing Unqualified Pharmacist, Allegedly Abuses Female Workers”.

The Committee held its last hearing on this matter. The complainant Ahmad Senousi Sesay was present for the hearing whiles the editor of the responding newspaper was absent. The Committee proceeded with the matter in line with Section 19(5) of the IMC Act 2020, because summons have been issued twice for his appearance and an affidavit of service duly served by the Commission. As such, the Complaints Committee proceeded with the matter as if the editor of the said institution was before it.

2. Complaint from Alie Jaffa on behalf of the Lebanese Union against Standard Times Newspaper for publication dated 4^th April, 2023 headlined “LEBANESE UNION GOES SOCIAL CLUB”

In this matter, both complainant Alie Jaffa and the Editor of the responding newspaper Standard Time were present for hearing. Complainant was asked to restate his complaint which he did. Respondent Standard Times Newspaper however said he does not stand by his story and promised to do a retraction with equal prominence.

3. Monitoring report against the EXCLUSIVE Newspaper in relation to publication titled: “June 24 Elections: 1500 ECOMOG TROOPS, 78 EU OSERVERS, US MARINES TO DELOPLOY 30 OBSERVERS FROM CARTER CENTER” of Friday 12^th May 2023.

During the hearing on this matter the editor of the responding newspaper Pateh Bah admitted that he does not stand by the story. He said he did not intend to create fear or panic in the minds of Sierra Leoneans, but was reporting a story he received from an anonymous source. He however pleaded with the Complaints Committee to give him time to publish a retraction with equal prominence.

4. Complaints from William Fayia Sellu (Inspector General of Police) against Alex Lawrence Koroma (Producer Radio Democracy 98.1 FM) on a radio broadcast against his person on ‘Good Morning Salone’ Show Monday 22^nd May 2023.

In this matter, the Complainant, William Fayia Sellu was represented by his wife Doris Sellu and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Brima Kamara; while the respondent radio was represented by Alex Lawrence Koroma (Producer of the said programme).

Restating the complaint on behalf of Mr William Fayia Sellu, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Brima Kamara said that on Monday 22^nd May, 2023, Alex Lawrence Koroma on “Good Morning Salone Show” on Radio Democracy 98.1, smeared the character and person of Mr. William Fayia  Sellu without getting his own side of the story.

Responding to complainant, Alex Lawrence Koroma said the broadcast was never meant to destroy the good image of Mr. William Fayia Sellu, and that it was a mistake. He pleaded with the Complaints Committee to give him time to do a retraction with equal prominence as soon as possible.

  Signed

Khalil Kallon

Executive Secretary—IMC