Deputy Minister suggests for higher qualifications for Journalists

As an expert on media issues both in and outside of the country, Hon. Theo Nicol the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, last week schooled journalists of both electronic and print on the role the media can play in disseminating information to the public.

Speaking at a press briefing the deputy minister informed journalists that there are privileges for press media to go through training which will see them to understand their responsibilities

Sighting an example the deputy minister said in other countries not everybody can just jump into the field of journalism. “Before you become a journalist in some countries you have to go through many tests and even training,” said Nicol. He said he has observed that most of the journalists in Sierra Leone are not supposed to be practicing due to their low standard of education as some of them do not have a Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) result.

“As a result of their standard of education to understand the issues they sometimes mislead the public with baseless and unfounded information,” he said.

Mr. Nicol called on the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to issue a press release indicating some of the criteria that the least reporter should have, as the profession is important.

He later requested to both SLAJ and the Constitutional Review Committee to pass it as a law that the least reporter should attain a qualification not less than a Diploma in journalism.

The deputy minister also admonished journalists to report accurately on issues discussed at the government weekly press briefing at the ministry as this will help them get balanced stories.

The deputy Information minister cautioned Journalists to properly listen while authorities speak in order to get the right information.

Some of the plans of the renowned journalists are to create a platform that could help media practitioners to improve their skills by creating an atmosphere to educate journalists in the country.

“The issue with certain media practitioners is the way and manner they present their questions while interviewing or asking questions,” he said

Abdulai Bangura

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