The Sierra Leone media and the 2012 polls
The media can enable people to make decisions regarding their rights, liberty and freedoms. In a democratic state like Sierra Leone, it is prudent for the media to work towards achieving its avowed goals especially in this crucial moment of our country’s history. The media both print and electronic thus helps people to know what is happening around them and socialize them with the values of pluralism.
A responsible media also helps in promoting citizenship, democratization of the state and enhancing civic culture through the unfettered flow of information. The role of the media in democratic Sierra Leone cannot therefore be overemphasized.
After five years of peace and stability, every eligible citizen in this country is looking forward to making another decision of electing the next president of this republic. In making such a decision, the principles of good governance will be closely watched by every right thinking member of society. Good governance is the capacity of the state to respond to the public needs, enlighten policy making and ensuring the executive arm of government is accountable for its actions.
The media has a unique role in sensitizing the people on issues that are crucial and pertinent to their livelihood so that in return they may be able to form considered opinions and take informed decisions. The Sierra Leone media both print and electronic must endeavor to raise awareness and bring to the fore societal concerns agenda setter and ills(agenda setter) so that it helps to have an informed electorate.
The ambition of politicians is to win political power and they must always endeavour not be use in any negative way to disrupt the smooth electioneering process or initiate any form of violence. Alas! As this is not the case as the media has been divided into political lines which has the propensity to derail the smooth electoral process and disruption of our peace that we are enjoying.
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) which regulate media institutions and the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) have made concerted efforts to ensure that the media is effective in promoting peace messages, reminding journalists of their role in achieving peaceful elections. At a sensitive and crucial time like this, every media house should desist from promoting hate messages and incitements while be mindful of what he writes and speaks through the media. The social responsibility of media professionals and ethical and ethical standards of the media are very important to sustaining the very high regards of the fourth estate of the realm-the media.
Journalism is a unique profession guarded by ethical standards and values which is a major problem in the media landscape in Sierra Leone. The blatant disregard of these ethics and values by some unscrupulous and quack journalists is an open secret. The politicians being very much aware of the power of the media are doing everything within their powers to effectively make use of it to garner support for their various political parties. The media in return must endeavour to probe into the issues that concerns to the wellbeing of the citizens and achieving their proposed plans.
Comparatively, the Rwanda genocide is a consequence of negative use of the media, hate messages and flouting of the pillars of the profession attributed to by Kangura newspaper and the RTLM radio. It is obvious that WE DON’T WANT that situation to happen in this our beloved country with regards what we went through during the terror and horrible civil war that led to wanton destruction of lives and property. NO WAY! THOSE UGLY MEMORIES can NEVER happen in this country. The media undoubtedly can provide immense contribution to a unified Sierra Leone, good governance and quality representation in positions of trust. However, the coming of the ICC team is timely and to a very large extent has inculcated some amount of fear in the minds of politicians to warn their supporters to refrain from any form of violence and consolidate the hard earn peace for the betterment of Sierra Leone. To all of these the media has a responsibility to making sure the people’s minds is driven to peace, unity, tolerant society and above all a peaceful and a credible violent-free elections. Certainly, we want to showcase our democratic credentials to especially our development partners and our media institutions are ready to work towards its avowed goals in setting the agenda and raising the awareness and educating the public on key issues.
However, the IMC is challenge in their monitoring and effectiveness of their mandate and impose punitive measures for defaulters of the rules spelt out in the laws, so as to bring sanity to the media landscape. Media professionals, politicians and others are duty bound to play positive roles in promoting the work of IMC and not undermine it for whatever reasons. At the same time, the Sierra Leone association of journalists (SLAJ) must put its house in order without delay to provide critical support to IMC in achieving its noble objectives.
The 1991 constitution which is our guiding national document gives the media power to hold the government accountable to the people and the media must work at all times to promote good governance in the executive, legislature and judiciary and other sectors of development. Let us make us make use of this constitutional guarantee and ensure that we have peaceful, credible and non-violence elections in November 2012.
By Mohamed Thullah
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