Empowering the Media, the people’s mouthpiece through (FOI)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) is one that is designed to allow journalists to access information from any state functionaries for publication without being criminalized. This is an Act that is in dire need for adoption into law as the capacity of the media is in serious jeopardy due to lack of its independency in the aspect of the (FOI).
I reference my statement on the backdrops of what has served as a repealing factor hindering the organ that represents the mouthpiece of the ordinary man – that is the Fourth Estate.
Without much ado to the standpoint of the values of the democratic institution that spells a representative governance of the people, I challenged that the fourth estate which is the media, represents the views, voices and cries of the ordinary man, who lacks the wherewithal to understand the complexities that are involved in state governance.
As part of the best global practices of a nation whose ideals are to match global developments and transparencies it is necessary for us to allow mainstream access to FOI.
The media in Sierra Leone question why journalists should be branded as criminals for simply exposing the wrongs of society involving certain persons in power or governance.
While, other key professional entities’ mistakes are considered as common human errors, the mistakes of journalists are always considered suicidal. For example lawyers may present a weak defense that might sway justice due his client, a Medical Doctor might make a common error which kills his patient, and other professionals make mistakes, but they are always considered human as usual.
Above all, it is on record that several past and present governmental regimes have made policy mistakes, flouting their agenda plans, those are all mistakes that displease the masses a great deal, but they are accepted as mistakes.
The FOI bill has to be enacted to give journalists and the public certain rights to access information, so as to enable a transparent working environment between journalists, the masses, and government institutions.
As the saying goes, mistakes are part of human nature, implying that when one decides to fish in his profession he/she should be ready for some challenges.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
