JABC meets with IMC Commissioners
Journalists for Attitudinal and Behavioral Change (JABC) has on Monday 14th June 2010 met with cross sections of commissioners at the Independent Media Commission 3rd floor Kissy House Siaka Steven Street Freetown. The purpose of their visit was to formally introduce their organization to the commission which is an independent institution that was established to seek the interest and welfare of journalists in the country.
Speaking to the commissioners, the soft spoken president of the JABC, Edie Tayor George Temple also Deputy Managing Editor of the Global Sovereignty newspaper expressed profound gratitude to the Commission for accepting their visit, adding that they have manifested their true independence by working with all media practitioners in the country.
He disclosed that the Journalists for Attitudinal Change is a Non-Governmental and Non- Partisan association of journalists drawn from the print and electronic media. He continued to note that the organization is devoted to the notable call for change by the President, Dr, Ernest Bai Koroma in his maiden address to parliament and in his inaugural address in 2007 when he attained power. On these two historic occasions, the presidents urged Sierra Leoneans to accept the challenge to transform our nation into well-ordered society by changing our attitude from negative to positive.
Mr. Temple added that their association was born out of their commitment to this national cause. He reiterated the role of the media is to inform educate and entertain our nation. He revealed that their organization’s new challenge is their devotion to changing our country in the traditional and professional ways in journalism developed communities and nation. In doing so, he went on, their torch stone shall be professional competency in this venture of national transformation for development.
He however noted that JABC is encouraging all journalists to change their perception about their organization, “journalists are trustees of the people, we are singularly charge to practice our profession in a manner befitting the standards of journalism especially those in the IMC Code of Practice.
The IMC Chairperson, Mrs. Bernadette Cole congratulated the JABC on their strides in forming such an organization, and encouraged them to maintain their independence and profession to the highest standards. She said her commission is always prepared to assist JABC especially when it comes to advising the organization to work within the ambits of the IMC Media Code of Practice.
Commissioner Dr. Abubakarr Kargbo admonished JABC members to maintain sanity within the profession by trying to settle the differences within JABC and SLAJ as SLAJ is the umbrella media organization in the country. He noted that the organization has right to exist since members of the organization are journalists representing media institutions in the country, and most importantly they are citizens of the country and have the constitutional right to form an association.
Commissioner Augustine A Garmoh disclosed that the commission has been hearing about JABC but their visit to the commission has made the commission to recognize them as media organizations which comprise media practitioners that the commission is concerned about.
Commissioner David Sam advised JABC executive to sort out the difference between JABC and SLAJ and that they should find a mediator to resolve their differences. He said their doors are open for any advice they would need as journalists.
Sallieu Sesay
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