By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has on Thursday 4th February, 2021 launched the A-Z Multimedia Corporation. The launch took place at the A-Z Multimedia Corporation Head Office on Robert Street in Freetown.
In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the A-Z Multimedia Corporation revealed that the launch of the media entity was conceived from a burning desire to invest in media
development in Sierra Leone furthering that he is pretty convinced that they all share the spirit behind their desire to respond to the need for media professionalism that is responsive to the evolving trends and that is why they are convinced about the possibility of contributing to the development of a healthy media landscape in the country.
He noted that Sierra Leone has been a trailblazer of media excellence on the continent and that this dates back to the 1800s when they had the first printing press, the Sierra Leone Advertisers, after which the African Standard and the Royal Gazette evolved to attract professional journalists who came to the country to practice.
The CEO pointed out that as they consider the fact that we have formal media training schools and are exposed to technological tools to aid us in sustaining the rich media history, the socio-economic forces that explain why Etchings are going downhill are reasons for us to wake-up and make up for the lapses saying that they are venturing with a redemptive passion.
“We see the environment even ripe to invest in the media for professional excellence. The reforms introduced by this Government to expunge anti media provisions in the organic law puts us under the obligation to be responsible. As we thank the Bio Government for that epoch making reform we are making a commitment to contribute to good governance and human rights,” he disclosed.
He said his team has been schooled in ethical sensitivity as a rule to match their editorial standpoint of being the game changer saying that is not a bogus branding thing, but a profound commitment to win public trust and confidence.
The CEO further maintained that they doff their hearts to colleagues who have been striving under a challenging market reality to make a difference and inspire others in believing in professional journalism, adding that they don’t see them as rivals but colleagues that are to be mutually supportive even as they might be preaching the same sermon from different pulpits.
“Make no mistakes we will from time to time come knocking on your doors to compare notes and share. That should be the spirit! Let me conclude by reassuring the wider public of fairness in deepening local content and promoting diversity as a necessary ingredient for strengthening democracy, national stability and sustainable development. May God bless our collective efforts!” he concluded.
Giving a keynote address, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, congratulated the Chief Executive Officer of A-Z Multimedia Corporation and team for envisioning such an investment in the media landscape in the country.
He said as a Government they made their committment in repealing Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965 which deals with criminal libel and also enacted the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Act 2020 which, he said, will enhance the professionalization of journalism and make investments in media more attractive describing the launch as a clear manifestation of making the media better forever.
He encouraged practicing journalists to opt for media professionalism, work with the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to enhance its regulatory powers.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Solomon Sengepoh Thomas expressed appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of A-Z Multimedia Corporation and team for such an investment in the Media landscape of the country, furthering that Parliament will continue to support such an investment of this nature.
He noted that investment in the media has not properly been explored in Sierra Leone adding that it has even become worst with the advent of the social media underscoring that those who are to invest in the media are now saying the information or news is all over the place and they do not need to invest anymore to which he said he holds a contrary view.
The CEO said that there are several aspects that can be explored using the media and then called on others to see the need to invest in the media.
