By Mohamed Muckson Sesay.
The Sierra Leone’s British Broadcasting Cooperation Correspondence Umaru Fofana has on the 26th of January 2023 delivered a one day lecture at Central University in Mile 91, Tonkolili District in Northern Region of Sierra Leone.
The Lecture which was titled “The Role of The Media In Ensuring Peaceful Elections” was organized by the Mass Communication Students Association MaCoSA in collaboration with the Students Union Government at Central University in Mile 91.
In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of Central University Professor Bob Karankay Conteh described the lecture as a blessing not only for Central University but for the Mile 91 township and the nation at large.
Professor Bob Karankay suggested that the work of journalism is not an easy task and that media practitioners should ensure clarity and objectivity in information gathering. Professor Bob described Umaru Fofana as a trustworthy man in Sierra Leone’s media landscape.
Professor Conteh urged students to make judicious use of the public lecture.
In the opening of his Public Lecture on the topic “The Role of the Media in Ensuring Peaceful Elections”, Umaru Fofana discussed a range of things which journalists should embarrassed in their profession.
He emphasized media practitioners should avoid social media falsehood posts. He said that those posts dissemate inciting news stories that has no positive impact in society.
He also said that such contents are mostly authored and shared by untrained and unqualified individuals being regarded as journalists.
Umaru adviced all media practitioners at Central University to ensure clarity in their professions.
He ended by advising all centralists student who are media practitioners to hold on to the journalistic principles of journalism and maintain a good image of journalism.
In his speech, the Central University SUG President Mohamed Chernoh Kamara encouraged all students on campus to put positive ideas to ensure a smooth running of Central University.
“I want to encourage all student groups on campus to collaborate as a family in ensuring effectiveness of SU Government and the well-being of the students on campus.” President MCK ended.
The MaCoSA president Mustapha Bayoh appreciated the relentless efforts of Central University Chancellor Mr. Muckson Sesay Snr.
Bayoh furthered that the idea to build a state of the heart University in Mile 91 is not a bad choice in any reason.
Bayoh ended that the event was not only for Mass Communication Students but for all Centralists and by extension the Mile 91 residents.
Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Fofanah (Justice of Peace) who served as Chairman of the event commended Umaru Fofana for a wonderful presentation.
He also said that the presentation would be as guidelines to demonstrate a peaceful election.
Mr Khalil ended that Mass Communication Students should follow the Journalistic Principles in their reportage.
