Journalism not Politics
Journalism, as understood in the books, communicates information, exposes wrong of state actors, educates society, and checkmates conduct of public officials in a balance, accurate and contemporaneous manner.
Being mindful of what I say, I have been left with no option but draw ears of two prominent journalists, who now engaged pages of their respective newspapers, castigating and saying things that demean their conducts as practicing journalists.
My attention is drawn to what I refer to as journalists doing PR for Christiana Thorpe and James Jonah respectively.
Yes, professors in one voice say ‘opinions’ are rights and persons have the right to one.
Other news outlets have had themselves bordered over criminal manipulations of past and present Commissioners of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on results qualifying winners of previous Presidential elections.
While I ponder over reasons resulting into having colleagues (journalists) fling disrespectful words at each other, I have been made to reflect on the skillfulness of politicians and how they misuse society.
Elections, as in records, give a picture of a very bad history.
In 1996, James Jonah was the Commissioner for NEC. He conducted the elections and later announced results to the favour of Ex- President Kabbah. Period!
Of course, it was no secret that late Karifa Smart; a man I refer to as ‘the President that never was,’ took an interview with the BBC, telling the world he won the elections, but for the sake of peace heeded to the already declared result.
For goodness sake, would claims as quoted above anything tee-total; except for the reckless fools.
In 2002, the elections that saw Ex- President Kabbah in his second term, again witnessed solemn cry of fraud by then opposition candidate – President Koroma.
Citations, as forenamed, are indicators reminding proportions of journalists on issues bordering on the conduct of elections in Africa and Sierra Leone specifically.
The 2007 Presidential elections have good things to say, but also explain too many odds.
Sierra Leoneans have had many things to learn in relation to the conduct of such elections.
Why not did we question reasons for having two of the five NEC commissioners back off when it was time to announce the 2007 final national election result?
What about the uncalled for despoiled and mutilation of elections result in website of NEC?
To me, and to some of us as media practitioners, questions as asked above should have been the plus plus urge of journalists; not the flinging of words as it is now observed.
If you ask me, I will have no option but to say that Christiana Thorpe should have rejected her re-appointment.
Yes, she calls herself a ‘woman of heroism and valor’ and therefore, should not accept any appointment that is seen as one sided; the opposition SLPP walked away and made no contribution to the celebrations in the well of parliament.
Again, this is where the rottenness of whom the ordinary ‘Salone’ man is.
To my colleagues don’t be carried away.
Please stay focused, go after them and keep on your strive in checkmating conducts of bad politicians; you have a role to play.
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