By Amin Kef Sesay
Upon completion of its assignment of putting together the draft validated Media Code of Practice for Print and Electronic Media, the Independent Media Commission (IMC) on the 30th November, 2021, convened a closing meeting with media stakeholders at the IMC Conference Room on 54 Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
Chaired by the IMC Chairman, George S Khoryama, in attendance were representatives of SLAJ, WIMSAL, IRN, Guild of Editors, MRCG as well as Commissioners and staff of the Commission.
Chairman George S Khoryama in disclosing the purpose of the meeting stated that it was in recognition of the important roles media stakeholders had played in putting the document together that the closing meeting was held.
He symbolically regarded the draft Media Code of Practice as the Bible and Quran for media practitioners and other stakeholders within the media landscape.
The IMC Chairman revealed how the consultation and validation processes of the document across the country were facilitated with funds from the BBC Media Action through the PRIMED Project.
Khalil Kallon, the Executive Secretary of the IMC, on his part intimated those in attendance that the document is unique, in that it only contains the codes of practice for print and the electronic media. He assured of a comprehensive document more especially as it contains various inputs that were made by the media as well as stakeholders during the consultation and validation processes.
“The IMC in early 2022 will commence the review of the Code on Reporting and Coverage of General and Local Elections in Sierra Leone as well the Advertising Code contained in Section Four of the Media Code of Practice,” he further stated adding that after the meeting, the Draft Media Code of Practice for Print and Electronic Media would be taken to the Minister of Information and Communications for drafting by the Law Officers Department; and from there the document would be taken to Parliament for it to have the force of Law.
One of the stakeholders present ,Ransford Wright, representing the Independent Radio Network (IRN), agreed with the Executive Secretary that there is no way a document of such nature could be reviewed without getting the views and aspirations of the key players. He commended the IMC for doing a great job.
Alhaji Manika Kamara, representing the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), lauded the IMC for giving preference to all stakeholders and capturing their inputs. He noted that indeed the draft document reflects their wishes and aspirations.
Femi Jarrett Coker, President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone expressed similar views as other speakers and agreed that the process was participatory and transparent. She expressed hopes that the new code would usher in decent and professional journalism in the coming years.
Also, Kandeh Sesay representative of Guild of Editors assured the Commission of full compliance with the dictates of the new code, because he said it reflects their views and aspirations.
