By Edward Vamboi
With an objective to enhance the capacity of the media in terms of court reporting, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has, on the 18th June 2021, concluded a two-day training for Court Reporters on court proceedings and professional court reporting which took place at the Peace Museum, Special Court Complex on Jomo Kenyatta Road.
Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Nicholas Browne-Marke, in his final remarks marking the end of the training stated that the training has intensified the need for continued cooperation between journalists and the Judiciary further describing the relationship as mutually beneficial.
Hon. Justice Browne-Marke, in extending his warmest appreciation to journalists for their cooperation and participation throughout the training, told journalists that “we’re not enemies, we’re friends and we share many things in common.”
He added that the Judiciary has now more than ever before, acknowledged the pivotal role of journalists in the administration of justice.
Hon. Justice Dr. Abukakarr Binneh-Kamara , in his presentation on, “Reporting Criminal Trials in the High Court,” highlighted that the Judiciary and Mediated Communicators share a community of shared interest with both parties concerned with the promotion of the principle of freedom, justice and democracy which he referred to as the pillars of democratic good governance.
He encouraged Court Reporters to deviate from adding opinions in their reports on cases before the court further admonishing them to cross check and fact check information prior to publication.
In his power point presentation on “News Gathering and Reporting Techniques,” Dr Francis Sowa , a Senior Lecturer at the Mass Communications Department, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, gave a practical and systematic guide to creating, assessing and presenting of facts in reporting court proceedings and processes.
Speaking on “The Challenges of Court Reporting, Accessing Court Files and Officials,” former Head of Department at the Mass Communications Department, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Dr. Isaac Massaquoi averred that amid the numerous challenges faced by court reporters, reasonable efforts must be made to ethically balance their reports to the gratification of the public.
He stressed that journalists must be aware that their coverage of the courts and its activities help the Judiciary and Juries to behave fairly and sensitive to the values espoused by society as well as promote a shared sense that the court operates with integrity in the dispensation of justice.
The BBC’s Umaru Fofana deliberated on court reporting as it relates to international best practices. He urged journalists to uphold the principles of accuracy and fairness regardless of where they find themselves.
Court of Appeal Judge, Hon. Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi (JA), brought to light the court divisions relating to the setting up of various specialized courts such as the FastTrack Commercial Court, Industrial and Social Security Court and the Sexual Offences Model Courts aimed at making justice more accessible to the people.
The high point of the two day training ceremony was the presentation of certificates to Court Reporters by Hon. Justice Browne-Marke (JSC) and Hon. Justice Eku Emmanuel Roberts (JSC).
