Statement of outgoing IMC chairperson
Statement by the Out-going Chairperson of the IMC, Mrs. Bernadette Cole at the handing over of the Commission to the new Board headed by Mr. Rod Mac Johnson as Chairman:
Mr. Chairman Outgoing and In-coming Commissioners of the IMC President and members of SLAJ Staff of the Commission Friends of IMCPermit me to thank you all for honouring our invitation to witness the handing over of the Commission to the new Board under the leadership of Mr. Rod Mac Johnson as Chairman. We have decided on a formal handing over ceremony as a means of providing an account of our stewardship over the past six years to our constituents – I mean you ladies and gentlemen of the media as well as the general public and to formally introduce to you the new chairman and his team.
Account of the Stewardship of the 2005-2011 Board of the IMC
As you are aware, the Commission was set up in 2000 by the Parliament of Sierra Leone with the following mandate:
- To promote free and pluralistic media throughout Sierra Leone;
- To ensure that media institutions achieve the highest level of efficiency in the provision of media services;
- To protect the interest of the public against exploitation and abuse by media institutions
- To promote technological research and development of adequate human resources for the advancement of the media industry.
- To promote fair competition among media institutions engaged in the provision of media services
- To maintain a register of media institutions registered in the country.
The past six years have seen us progress from a state of inertia in 2005, to a situation in which the Commission now serves as one of the strong pillars of our nation’s democracy.
The following are highlights of the out-going Board’s achievements in the pursuit of its mandate:
- The promotion of free and pluralistic media throughout the country.
To this end, the Board approved the registration of 50 .radio stations country-wide, 61.newspapers and 6 television stations during the period under review. Apart from two newspapers registered for publication in the provinces, the others are Freetown based. To help promote pluralism not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of regions, every encouragement should be given to proprietors desirous of establishing newspapers in the regions, so that before long, the print media industry will be fully established in the hinterland.
- Ensuring that media institutions achieve high levels of efficiency in the provision of media services.
One of the functions of the IMC as listed in the IMC Act 2000 is the development of a Media Code of Practice to guide journalists in the practice of the profession. Some attempt was made before 2005 to pursue this mandate. The new Board in 2005 took this assignment head-on; sought expertise from Panos Institute and by 2007, the Media Code of Practice had become a reality. Realising that strict adherence to the Media Code of Practice is the bedrock of professionalism, decorum and responsibility in the media, training was organised in the western area and the three provincial capitals for journalists, to help them understand the content of the Media Code of Practice and how to use it for self regulation. To improve the professional capacity of journalists, media professionals and technicians, several short term training programmes were conducted since 2005 on a range of modules including Media Law, Ethics, Investigative Reporting, Development Communication and management of radio station and newspaper. Many young aspiring media professionals, including newspaper reporters and columnists, radio news editors, programme producers, radio technicians and radio and TV Station Managers benefited from these trainings. Special trainings were also mounted for the IMC’s media monitors, district council personnel interacting with community radios in towns and cities and for Board Members of radio Stations around the country.
To further encourage journalists to improve their level of professionalism and efficiency, the Board introduced the annual IMC Media Awards Scheme in 2006. The objective was to recognise and reward journalists and media institutions for outstanding performance during the year and to encourage them to aspire to even greater levels of proficiency and adherence to the Media Code of Practice. From a modest 10 prizes awarded to winners in the first four years of the competition with the support of Zain (which later changed its name to Celtel and now Airtel), the Scheme attracted other partners, mainly the international community in the fifth year. This catapulted the number of prizes awarded in that year to 36.
- To protect the interest of the public against exploitation and abuse by media institutions
To assist the Commission fully undertake this challenging task, the Board introduced a monitoring scheme in January 2007 ahead of the 2007 elections. 26 monitors comprising men and women who are non-partisan and are highly respected in their local communities were appointed by the Board to monitor the output of media institutions, in particular community radio stations throughout the country. The task also included constant monitoring of the local newspapers and on-line publications. In some instances, even before complaints from the public reached the Commission, the Complaints Committee and /or the Board took proactive measures to call up the source of the seeming mischievous/offensive information to point out contraventions of the Media Code of Practice and/or the Act. This was a deliberate attempt by the Commission to take examples of bad journalistic practices and bring these to the attention of editors and radio station managers, in the hope that they would learn from their mistakes.
Realising the need for a Monitoring Division that would take on this very important aspect of the Commission’s mandate to bolster compliance with the regulations in the IMC Act and the Media Code of Practice, the Board set up a Monitoring, Research and Projects Unit in the IMC Secretariat in 2010, with the suport of the UNDP. The Unit has developed several mechanisms for effective field media monitoring. It has set out plans for research and production of a variety of media products in anticipation of the 2012 General Elections. The Unit recently launched a research based and analytical “Media Watch” E Bulletin. Through the UNDP, the out-going Board has acquired 30 monitoring sets comprising radio/tape recorders which will be distributed to the monitors at the start of 2012 after training on how to use them.
- To promote technological research and the development of adequate human resources for the advancement of the media industry throughout the country
To fulfill this mandate, the IMC established a Resource Centre and Internet Cafe at its headquarters in Freetown in 2006 with support from DFID. The collection in the Resource Centre has expanded significantly and serves as an important source of reference not only for journalists but also for students, researchers and the public.
A second Resource Centre with internet facilities was established in the Commission’s headquarters in the southern city of Bo in 2010 with the support of the UNDP. The collection includes all local newspapers published in the country, thus giving the opportunity to residents in Bo to access newspapers regularly. Other items in the Resource Centre which is manned by a professional librarian include Acts of Parliament, the Sierra Leone Gazette, relevant text books on all aspects of the media, novels and periodicals. Plans are underway for a third Resource Centre to be established in the IMC’s regional headquarters in Makeni.
There is also an IMC website which unfortunately is not updated as often as it should. The new Board will do well to take this on hand to ensure that the website is always current.
Coming to technological facilities at the IMC Secretariat, it is true to say that from one old dysfunctional computer and a type writer which were the only equipment in the Secretariat in 2005, the out-going Board is leaving behind a Secretariat in which every professional and administrative staff has a computer, scanner and printer that are effectively used and are linked through a Local Area Network that allows for intranet, Internet and E mail connectivity.
- To promote fair competition among media institutions engaged in the provision of media services
This aspect of the Commission’s mandate also engaged the attention of the Board towards the end of its tenure. Until recently, ownership of media institutions was hardly discussed as this was not an issue. Media ownership in Sierra Leone recently took a new dimension, with some proprietors venturing into multi-media and cross media ownership. The Board, along with media stakeholders including the proprietors themselves addressed this issue through the development of policies that have been incorporated in the proposed 2011 revised IMC Act and Media Code of Practice respectively. Due consideration was given to the need to ensure that media ownership is not confined to a few “media moguls” and also to safeguard media pluralism and diversity.
- To maintain a register of media institutions registered in the country
Throughout its tenure, the Board ensured that it had in place a register of all media institutions in the country. This helped to keep track of them, as well as the annual renewal of their registration.
Throughout the period under review, all the committees of the Commission that were responsible for carrying out the various mandates as listed in the IMC Act met regularly. They included the Complaints Committee, the Technical Committee, the Finance and Administration Committee, the Applications Committee, the Policy Committee, the Procurement Committee and the IMC National Media Awards Committee. Recommendations from these committees on several issues pertaining to the work of the Commission as well as the development of the media were discussed by the Board and decisions taken for implementation by the IMC Secretariat.
Other activities of the Board
In exercising its functions, the Board endeavoured to maintain a conducive environment for the growth and expansion of the media nationwide and to ensure free flow of ideas from all sectors of the country, even among groups that felt they were on the fringes, marginalised or unheard. In 2010, the Commission played a central role in preparing ministers, traditional leaders and members of the public to accept the implications of the transition of the former SLBS from a Government owned and managed entity to an independent national broadcaster. During a visit by the Chairperson and a Commissioner to China in 2010, special appeal was made to the Chinese authorities for technical support for the new SLBC to help transform the entire Corporation including its provincial stations to a modern entity. This initative needs to be followed up, given the assurances relayed to the visiting team.
Over the years, there have been significant changes in the media landscape. New situations and challenges have emerged, which called for constant review of the IMC Act and the Media Code of Practice. These documents were reviewed in 2006 and 2007 with the latest review in 2011, which is yet to receive parliamentary approval. The Board also commissioned a study on the state of the media in 2010 to have a clear idea of the media landscape, the strengths and weaknesses of the IMC and the media institutions with a view to developing plans of action for specific needs.
Freedom of Information Bill
The IMC worked with other stakeholders to push for the passing of the Freedom of Information Bill into law. The Bil which was deposited by the Minister of Information and Communication in Parliament in 2010 is still awaiting parliamentary action.
Opening of IMC regional offices
Over the last two years, the Commission has established regional offices in Bo and Makeni with funds from the UNDP. Special sittings of the Board and some of the committees in the regional offices, now make it possible for complaints and other matters pertaining to our constituents in the provinces to be dealt with in the regions.
The IMC’s Finances
From a situation of lack of transparency and accountability which the Board inherited in 2005 and which caused the Commission to lose over Le70 million in 2004, which matter is still in Court, the out-going Board is leaving behind financial reporting mechanisms, structures and procedures for efficient management of the Commission’s finances. The Board also made it a point of duty to have the accounts audited by the Auditor-General annually for publication in the Annual Report.
At close of work on Friday 14th October, 2011, the following amounts were in the IMC’s accounts:
Current Account: Le195, 070, 583.15. This does not include the fourth quarter government subvention which is expected any time now and “unpresented cheques” totaling Le 20,453,250.00.
Savings Account: Le116, 971,408.23. The savings Account has been developed to ensure prompt monthly payment of salaries and annual leave allowances to staff.
Dollar Account: USD 10,391.28. The dollar account is kept as investment for the Commission and is used to meet shortfalls in funds provided by the government and donors for projects.
Vehicles
From a situation in which the Board inherited no vehicle when it came into office in 2005, the out-going Board is leaving behind a fleet of three vehicles and a motor cycle to ease mobility in the Commission. All of them are in very good condition.
Partnerships
With the realisation that the government was constrained in meeting its financial obligations to the various sectors in the country, the Board embarked on fund raising in 2006 to complement the quarterly government subvention. This helped considerably to enable the Board carry out its projects and programmes in its annual work plan. Partnerships were forged with several agencies operating in and out of the country. These included Panos Institute (West Africa), the European Union, DFID, the British High Commission, the German Embassy, the United Nations Development Programme, UNIPSL, the UN Access to Justice Programme, the UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women. Others were NATCOM, the BBC World Service Trust, Journalists for Human Rights and Airtel. Also NEC, NCD, National Commission for Democracy, PPRC and SLAJ. Meaningful partnerships have also been developed with the National Media Commissions in Ghana and China.
Along with the Government’s unfailing effort to support the work of the IMC with what it can afford, such partnerships which also include expertise from the various agencies have allowed for the development of creative and rewarding activities such as the development of the Media Code of Practice to regulate the media, the several training programmes carried out by the IMC since 2005, the visit to the National Media Commission of Ghana, the Annual IMC Media Awards, the transformation of the IMC Secretariat, the opening of regional offices, resource centres and internet cafes. These initiatives have impacted positively not only on the Commission, but more importantly on you our major constituents, members of the fourth estate who now have a robust Media Code of Practice for self regulation, incentives to be more professional and responsible through training and the annual media awards, as well as the other spin offs mentioned above.
On behalf of the out-going Board I thank all our partners, in particular the ERSG, Mr. Michael Schelenburg, the British High Commissioner, Mr. Ian Hughes, the UNDP Communication Advisor, Mr. Peter Tayong, the Country Director of DFID, the Head of the UNDP Finance Office Mr. Edward Kamara and his assistant, Mr. Yui Sakai, the UNDP Country Director, Ms. Mia Sippo, the Programme Officer at UNDP Ms. Natsuko Kaneyama, the Country Representative of the British World Service Trust, Mr. George Fergusson, the Country Representative of Journalists for Human Rights, Mr. Stephen Douglas, the President of SLAJ, Mr. Umaru Fofana and the entire membership of SLAJ and the other media associations, the Head of Corporate Affairs at AIRTEL, Ms June Rose Johnson, the Chairman of NATCOM, Mr. Alpha Timbo and many others who know themselves, but time will not permit me to name them all. We hope that the relationship between your organisations and the IMC will grow from strength to strength and that the confidence reposed on the out-going Board will be equally enjoyed by the in-coming Board.
I must also take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for giving me the opportunity to serve in his administration and before him, former President Alhaji Tejan Kabbah. The out-going Board will forever cherish the free hand given to the IMC by the Government, including the Minister of Information and Communication Mr. I.B. Kargbo, to pursue its mandate without interference.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I must say that despite our impressive catalogue of successes, it has not been easy. We have not as a Board been able to radically change the unfortunate evidence of “hate journalism” that rears its head from time to time. We have not been able to quell the unfortunate state of media professionals viciously turning on themselves and making themselves the subject of the news and a mockery of the profession. We still fight evidence of “gutter journalism” that attempts to gain credibility in the local papers. And we are yet to effectively ensure the exclusion of political influence in the character and expression of some of our newspapers and radio stations that registered as “independent media institutions”. These are challenges the new Board will continue to grapple with and hope they will overcome.
Our six years in office witnessed the taking of very difficult decisions in our role as an objective mediator by intervening in difficult cases between the media and the public, e.g. Standard Times vs former President Kabbah over the Libyan rice saga (2007); The Observer and the Minister of Transport and Communication (2008); the four journalists including Abubakarr Kamara of the Torchlight and the Minister of Lands, the closing down of the two political party radio stations in 2009 and our refusal to grant permission to the Freetown City Council to operate a radio station.
Our six years in office has meant having both good and tense relationships with some newspaper proprietors, editors and broadcasters, demanding they maintain high standards and ensuring decorum within the public domain. Sometimes we have succeeded and other times we have ourselves been the subject of unwarranted abuse.
The Commission has also had to walk on a tight rope in which we regulate, but avoid censorship on the one hand and exercise tolerance and understanding in the use of our powers to close down or suspend the licences of media networks on the other.
The past six years has also meant working with staff with their own limitations and yet an abundance of goodwill and commitment to work long hours, many of which were not paid for.
Yet it has been inspiring, for within this environment, we see young bright professional media stars arising. We notice improvement in the quality of some media institutions and standards among professionals, and for this we feel heartened that the future of journalism in Sierra Leone is bright.
We have done what was our best. In the eyes of some, it may not have been good enough, but it has taken us all through several positive steps in the right direction.
Finally, many people have been asking why I have retired from the IMC at this crucial time that the country is preparing for elections. Others even believe that I resigned. To put the records straight, let me say that I have no reason to resign or retire, because I enjoyed serving the government and the nation as Chairperson of the IMC. I feel it was an honour to have been given this challenging assignment, particularly as a woman. The truth of the matter is that the IMC Act prescribes that “the Chairman shall serve for not more than two terms of three years each”. I have served faithfully for two terms – a total of six years- and I therefore have to bow out as my term has expired. Let me on behalf of the out-going Board thank you all for your support and cooperation throughout our term in office. I must however state that I am not tired and am still filled with the desire to do more for my country and the nation in whatever capacity I find myself.
Mr. Chairman, my dear colleagues in the media, this has been our stewardship. This is the Independent Media Commission that we the out-going Board pass on to Mr. Rod Mac-Johnson and the new Board. We are convinced that under his leadership the Commission will grow even further. It will retain its independence and will continue to work with the media for the enhancement of journalistic excellence and professionalism. I wish him and his new team every success.
I thank you for your attention.
Bernadette Cole Out-going Chairperson, IMC 17th October 2010© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
