Who is Christiana Thorpe to Me?
A good writer draws a clear picture of the things he/she communicates to the readership.
So also, a journalist who writes and causes readers to ask questions, makes no impact to society at all.
The Christiana Thorpe’s 2007 election ‘Dabaroos’ manipulations is neither the focus nor anything making a take to the article in page 2 of Sierra Express Media’s 15th October edition.
Commentary in page 2 of the Sierra Express Media titled “Journalism Not Politics” was published by Ibrahim Samura who happened to be the editor of the forenamed newspaper.
Viewpoints in the article bear no justification in favour of Christiana Thorpe and condemns not, publications in front pages of newspapers that reveal her alleged doctoring of the 2007 Presidential result and her uncalled for reappointment as NEC Commissioner.
To me, it sounds an amazement to read in a newspaper, an article with a very big headline: “Too Many hypocrites in Salone Journalism.”
The article, in its totality, explains the jittery and hypocrisy of journalists in Sierra Leone.
In the article, it was observed that writer Ibrahim Samura was indirectly described as being hypocrite and a jittery media practitioner.
“Patriotic journalists do not molly-coddle up with elections Chief who was appointed in the middle of controversy that saw the country’s largest opposition party walk out of Parliament in protest at the refusal to honour the implied dictates of the constitution’s section 32 (3),” words as said in article as published by a colleague journalist.
By the above quote, it is but compulsory to quickly explain who a journalist is and why it’s of the essence to have journalists refrain from molly-coddling public officials.
It is always a betrayal when journalists are suspected of overprotecting or shelving information of national concern against public officials.
It must be noted also that readers pay for the information given them. And gets perturbed each time they know journalists have refused to give them the information around them.
Again, they were not content in the article as published in Sierra Express Media explaining the woeful and uncalled for defacing of elections results in the website of NEC?
Had not Ibrahim Samura included information exposing the erroneous and off beams of Christiana Thorpe in his article- ‘Journalism Not Politics.
Can such be referred to as molly-coddle?
My standpoint: journalists must not be seen as ‘on-the-fence’ is constant and unwavering. Writers of books in journalism have insistently and repeatedly cautioned journalists to quit if they intend becoming politicians or stay uncompromising.
Readers familiar to writings of Ibrahim Samura could hardly believe he is in a list of journalists tagged as hypocrites to journalism in Sierra Leone.
Anyway, the article I wrote was merely questioning the conduct of two sober journalists whose actions visualize the truest of challenge in criticizing aged NEC Commissioner James Jonah as against the incumbent Christiana Thorpe; each supporting one against other.
I am aware there are always errors in the reportage of news stories. It is but OK that journalists should remain as neutral bystanders, not preventing, encouraging or changing a story.
The fact that two big journalists have had time defending two NEC Commissioners; one in favour and the other against, brings to mind what writer Walter Lippmann said: “newspaper men can’t be cronies of great men. There always has to be a certain distance between high public officials and newspaper men.”
I have no reason to bring to ridicule or say odd things against colleague journalists. I was merely reminding you of the ethical principles as provided for in journalism.
That as journalists, we should not be seen engaging our readerships with words of criticism against each other but make them get the goodies.
From words of Walter Lippmann, colleagues may have understood the effect it has having journalists sing praise a public officer against the other.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
Mohamed Sheriff
/
Christian Thorpe is a charismatic leader. She does a good job and the international community respects her, period. Yet, we have journalists like Blyden, not worth her salt, that goes on and on trying to belittle her. If Madam Thorpe had to rig the 2007 election, she would have done so for SLPP, I personally know that APC won in the first round. We, as members of SLPP were very much complacent, ignoring the mentality of the average Sierra Leonean.
We lost touch with the grass root voters ,but instead favored the technocrats. What is this big noise and rigmarole about? Blyden shut up, and respect yourself and stop being a garbage journalist/gutter journalist. Do not talk about rigging, I voted five times before for SLPP,votes are rigged and SLPP did not know how to do it. You guys are crying over spilled milk and not putting your arc together for the next election.
Blyden writes about election statistics, who told her that we will ever get a 100% election vote count correct? We never had this under Jonah- the prophet !
I am shamed by some of our journalists, who do not educate us on the way forward, but rather behave like the political sociopaths that we have in the country- always busy attacking personalities NOT issues.
Shame on you madam Blyden, keep quiet, use your expertise to educate us, stop fighting with Mohamed Bangura( another stooge) and quit insulting Christiana Thorpe who cannot be held responsible for us(SLPP)loosing power. We were complacent and we paid for it.
13th November 2010Finally, let all Sierra Leonean journalists learn to draw a line between emotions and reality. Write what is good for the country not because you have a soft spot for a friend or party…. Nation first ! Lonta
The Sheriff ( Proudly African)