Point of Correction SLPP
The pity side of every community is when the enlightened few in that community refuse to meet the standards they are supposed to be known for. It is always a painful reality to know that members of a particular grouping that are rated to be subtle and accommodating behaves irrationally. This kind of excruciating pain always demands trauma healing and sometimes so depressing that one will need some kind of psychological rehabilitation.
I was shocked and very reluctant to receive the news that members of the SLPP will go as far as attacking journalists and beat them in a manner that is never acceptable. That is a kind of action that is not expected of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). I am of the conviction that the SLPP is a desperate party right now like a wounded lion and will want to exploit all possibilities to assume power. Does that really warrant violence on journalists? Generally, it is not violence that is being used to assume power. The SLPP should know that the same journalists that are perceived to be enemies are the ones that will serve as their mouthpiece when it comes to campaigning for the running of the country. These journalists that are being attacked are the ones that build and destroy Presidents in that country. It is supposed to be realized by these SLPP politicians that the journalists of Sierra Leone are living on meager resources and are making sacrifices for the good of the country. Journalists are the ones that create celebrities and millionaires. Upon all the good things journalists are doing in Sierra Leone bad politicians are yet to appreciate. It is a selfish attitude of the SLPP to allow bandits to beat journalists because of their view and sometimes journalistic stance. Journalists are not supposed to be enemies but real partners to development and promoters of transparency. It should not hurt the SLPP because some journalist are writing things that are not seem to be in their favor and for that reason resort to beating. The era of violence has been buried with the bones of Siaka Stevens, Joseph Saidu Momoh, Foday Sankoh and most recently Almamy Kamara. That is in memoriam now!! Nothing will stop us journalists to bring to the public forum the true picture of things that are happening in that country. We have resolved to do that and we will continue with it that way till the end of time. This is not a short term resolution, therefore it is better for all politicians to start changing.
I am dispirited and disheartened here in New York as I am writing this piece. I feel so bad that I wrote this piece at about 3 am. It reminds me of the vicious attack on me. I started to think that politicians may be fooling the populace by making some statements so that they will be favored. When I was attacked, it was the Secretary General of the SLPP that was the first person that arrived at the hospital and stayed there until I was treated. That was a kind of way to say the SLPP do not approve of violence that is being meted out to journalists. That also nearly interpreted that if it were the SLPP that was in power then such things will not happen. That is more the reason it has baffled me to know that the SLPP will resort to violently attacking journalists. It is now I have realized that after J.J. Saffa’s (Secretary General SLPP) visit at the hospital, the SLPP did not say anything in condemnation of the APC thugs attack on me. I will want to conclude that J.J. Saffa did not visit me in the name of his party but the brother relationship that exist between us. It is the duty of all existing Political parties in a country to openly condemn inhuman behavior of any political system. Such did not happen in my case and I am sure it is because the SLPP also have such disgraceful habit. I am sure the top officials will say it was done by some irate young people in the party. It is an utter nonsense to hear such excuse. Political parties have the responsibility to be able to put under strict control its members. Those young men that are always blamed to be perpetrating violence are totally encouraged by the officials of the parties they are operating through. It is unacceptable to beat a journalist.
I sometimes wonder if our politicians learn from their previous mistakes. Has the SLPP forgotten so soon that the issue of unfair handling of journalists greatly contributed to the connivance to remove them from power? Did they not know that the issue of Paul Kamara and Harry Yansaneh was used to convince the international community to remove them from power even though it was illegitimate? It is too soon for such sorry thing to happen. I was thinking that the SLPP will embrace every journalist in that country no matter the position the journalist is perceived to be. I thought the SLPP will not behave like the most violent political party in the West African sub region; the APC. There is need for the SLPP to come out and apologize in a fashion that will attract the whole country and the world. Writing press releases and post them on news papers and read them on the radio is never enough. The world is watching, with great interest, the activity of the political system in that Sierra Leone. For that reason, the SLPP must prove that they will not bring violence into politics if they are yearning to rule by 2012. It is high time the party consider compensating the victims of that nasty pattern. I believe the SLPP should position themselves as a nonviolent institution not a violent one like the ruling APC. The lesson must be learnt. This must be their†Point of correctionâ€. My heart goes out to my colleague journalists in Sierra Leone. I encourage all of you to continue the good work and be steadfast. Nothing should make you guys relent.
Sitta Turay, USA Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news! © 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
