SLAJ, Makeni and my expectations

In a book, titled ‘African Media Review’, Volume 12, 2004, Chukuemeka Chikelu, one time Minister of Information in Nigeria attempted to look at communication and the culture of peace in Africa.  He tried to examine the nature and effects of conflicts in Africa and the role of scholars in communication in building a culture of peace. He argued that ‘…the media can be a catalyst for  peace and help to build  a  culture of peace by providing full, fair and balanced reporting to conflict situations;…’  he submitted further that  the media in Africa  can help develop an infrastructure of peace by  promoting the emergence of a leadership that is committed to equity, justice, accountability, transparency, democracy and sustainable development…’

The above submission by Chukuemeka Chikelu shows how relevant the media is, especially from the perspective of ensuring the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and a free society. The media is the watchdog of society. But in enabling the media to perform its functions properly and effectively, ‘… African governments must recognize and support the important role of the media in the promotion of such a culture’, so says also the same author quoted above.

Over the years, the media in the African continent has continued to experience a number of challenges.  The political class has always seen the media as a channel of propagating their message of falsehood .They have also always tried to put the media under its control.   The existence of the Public Order Act 1965 in the law books of Sierra Leone still; calls for the greatest political commitment from the powers-that-be in abolishing it. It takes the most serious political will to do such, but from a critical but honest perspective, the ruling APC party should be seen moving in line with what it had promised the people of this country during their campaign process. It is a reality that the APC had promised to address the issue of the Public Order Act once they came to power, as the then ruling SLPP had woefully failed to deal with the issue.

Libel laws/FOI campaign

I saw Umaru Fofana yesterday and his looks have changed due to his haircut.  He had been protesting over the Supreme Court’s failure to give a ruling, until its recent (unexpected) ruling (which I, for one knew was coming for obvious reason) on the SLAJ/Government matter. Umaru’s protest was timely but perhaps, in my view not for African democracies where little attention is being paid to such protests. If we were in a proper democracy, Umaru Fofana should not have been allowed to go down for two weeks with that hair style on him.

The existence of the Public Order Act, especially under the Ernest Koroma led government is unwarranted. Yes, I am saying so because, Ernest Korma, when he was in opposition enjoyed a very good relationship with the media. He would call up a journalist, yours truly inclusive, to say, ‘I have got an issue to tell the nation through your media outlet…’ So it would be unfair for President Koroma to be seen ignoring the concerns of the media today. And besides, the Public Order Act was an issue in the APC manifesto. So why not go by your promise Mr. Victor Foe??

 

Umaru Fofana

This is not the Umaru Fofana I used to know

 

A country without an access to information law is bound not to even think of meeting the MDGs. I challenge any body to prove me otherwise. An access to information law allows for an open and accountable government. Irrespective of what political gains one would want to achieve out of not allowing for an access to information law, or the repeal of the Public Order Act, it should be noted that we are in a democracy which allows for free press and speech.

The Koroma led APC government has placed so much emphases on the fight against corruption. That is fine! But how can the ACC succeed when there is no law to guarantee the public an access to public held information? The ACC as a matter of fact cannot and should not be seen doing it alone; Tejan Cole needs the support of the people of this country, including the media, which has a very important role to play in the socio-economic and political growth of the country. But the media should be supported to be able to function well. Mr. President, please act now or never. Chukuemeka Chikelu, the author quoted above wrote of the need for ‘… African governments must recognize and support the important role of the media in the promotion of such a culture’ President Koroma should support the media.

Umaru and his success story

Only yesterday, I had a five minute interview with Umaru Fofana, SLAJ’s President on the pending SLAJ AGM, slated to commence tomorrow in Makeni. As you read, we should be on our way to Makeni. This ‘family’ meeting in Makeni is expected to address a number of issues.  

So I asked him (Umaru Fofana) what should be the expectations of journalists in Sierra Leone, after the AGM meeting in Makeni. He told me, ‘ …  we are going to discuss issues relating to journalists… we shall be discussing the  FOI issue, the criminal libel, and we are getting people from abroad to give us talk on how to pursue some ,of these issues…’ He spoke that it will also be a way of projecting what next year should look like for SLAJ-The need for trainings, among other plans

But I think this meeting should also be a showcase for the Umaru led Executive. Much has happened under his tenure, and I see nothing bad if he decides to use this occasion tomorrow to outline some of his successes and at the same time the challenges ahead of us all as media practitioners.  Umaru Fofana’s few months in office has created some level of impact.  I am of the view that, today SLAJ has regained the respectability it once had… there is a national head office… regional offices… among other developments.  Yes, I think, Umaru Fofana and team are a great success.

Reporters & poor conditions of service

Despite the success stories around the Umaru led executive, there are also areas he needs to give attention to.  The extent to which the media is able to meet societal needs depends to the level of commitment and dedication it gets from its reporters. The news reporter in any given media institution is as relevant, if not, very relevant as the Managing Editor. But it is a pity that, the conditions under which reporters are living in the media profession is just too unacceptable.

The media is there to ensure that the monopoly that the African state has over everything, ‘…, decides on everything and interferes in everything…’(Konare, Adama Ba, History,Democracy,Values: New Lines of Reflection) is minimized. But this can only happen when reporters are well catered for. It is the reporter that goes out to investigate the abuse of power by the political class, the reporter has the power to make or unmake news worthy item. As we get to Makeni, let SLAJ and the Reporters Union ensure this issue is well addressed.

There is also the issue of women practitioners in the Sierra Leone Media. I have always argued that inasmuch as WIMSAL is moving miles in addressing problems affecting female media practitioners, there isn’t much when it comes to actually making adequate representation at some levels. The SLAJ Executive being a case study; only one lady is part of the SLAJ make-up. Tough I am impressed with the performance of SLAJ, this is them only area I am having problem with the Executive; one woman and she is not being heard. I hoped she is not being bullied (ha ha ha ha. Just joking)

So as we get to Makeni, let WIMSAL begin to think of strong representation in all levels, not just holding carnivals, or having workshops. The Reporters Union has made some serious marks, especially under Amara Samura. But their major challenge has to do with conditions of service of reporters. I look forward to hearing this in the speech to be delivered by Amara Samura tomorrow in Makeni. By the way, please don’t forget to tell us how many reporters are registered with Nassit. In a whole, SLRU and WIMSAL have success stories to tell. The less we talk of Sport Writers the better…

With these few words, I say good luck to us all as we descend on Makeni to look at issues. My advice to SLAJ, accept critical but honest and fair submissions. Let us also try to examine ourselves… let us critically examine what our output has looked like towards Sierra Leone’s national development agenda. The media, Chukuemeka Chikelu also said, ‘ should search their hearts  and ask themselves if  they can afford to be “neutral” or pretend to be “unconcerned”… whether it is enough for them to merely report the events  and forget about them when the tension subsides; whether they have a responsibility to seek solutions  to these problems…’

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