By Amin Kef Sesay
It has now become a tradition that in December of every year the President will sit and dine with members of the Fourth Estate, discuss certain pertinent issues which was exactly what transpired on the 15th December 2021 at the Country Lodge on Hill Station in Freetown.
Present were President Julius Maada Bio, the First Lady, Fatima Bio, the Minister of Information and Communications, Abdul Rahman Swarray, a host of other Government functionaries, the Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) ,representatives of both the print and electronic media in Sierra Leone as well as other media stakeholders.
Indeed, the atmosphere was pulsating with life, with fragrance from perfumes filling the air, laughter and joy permeating, while those who graced the occasion were seen chatting , pulling jokes and making new relationships most neatly clad in well designed Africana attire, some excitedly taking selfies and photos from different angles.
President Julius Maada Bio told journalists that it was indeed a big joy to him and his Government to one more meet with the Press during this year’s Presidential Media Cocktail Dinner. He added that the Media is an important component in any democratic dispensation, stating that he is of the strong conviction that the Media must be pluralistic and free as long as media practitioners practice the profession within the ambit of the law.
He underscored that his Government is committed to uphold Press Freedom in the country stating steps that were taken to repeal Part V of the obnoxious 1965 Libel and Seditious Law, the enactment of the IMC act and turning to an Act of Parliament the Cyber Crime Bill.
When President Bio pronounced that there has been an increment in the yearly SLAJ subvention from Le200, 000,000 to Le500, 000,000 there was a deafening applause lasting for three minutes.
In his statement, the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla ,started by taking permission from the President to ask everyone present who has not yet been counted to raise their hands stating that if the Census people are around, he will encourage them to please go around and do the counting whilst they continue with the program.
“I believe as citizens we should all stand up and be counted,” the SLAJ President seriously stated adding that if the Government wants to count them 10 times in a year let them count saying he does not think there’s any harm in that.
“May be the Government is planning to do some gifts distribution to every household during this Christmas,” he euphemistically stated adding that if one refuses to be counted then one will loses out and one will have only oneself to blame.
He furthered that since the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, SLAJ has become very attractive, especially for women disclosing how earlier in the day they inducted new members into SLAJ from the Western Urban and Rural regions, after a membership drive of over 200 applicants, the highest ever in take in the Association’s 50 years of existence.
Of this total, he disclosed, women constitute 30 percent, the highest ever they have recruited into SLAJ attributing such thanks to the President’s policy of free media.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said it is clear now that women can freely practice the profession adding that as he expects now there will begin to see more women taking leadership positions in the media industry.
He continued that the arrest of journalists in relation to their work has also substantially reduced since the repeal disclosing how in that light they have signed an MoU with the Security Sector to see how they can improve their relationship with especially the SLP so that the working environment will be more conducive for journalists.
He lamented that regrettably, the latest incidents of cyber-bully of Asmaa James, by one of the country’s popular musicians, and the physical attack and detention of an AYV Staff by the SLP will cloud all of those gains stating how such is the huge challenge media practitioners will continue to face, especially in the digital space.
“These are the imperfections of life; when you plan for good, others plan for bad,” he stated expressing hope that in the New Year things will improve.
He reminded the President of his outstanding manifesto promises to the media disclosing how for the annual subvention, this year’s allocation has been surprisingly delayed as they are yet to receive for 2021.
Nasralla stated that for land for a SLAJ Secretariat, when it comes to lucky dips he does not think he will stand a chance.
“I have heard my colleagues and some people say I am probably the luckiest President SLAJ has ever had, but I don’t think I will want to put that to the test through a lucky dip to acquire land that Your Excellency promised us,” he funnily puts it adding that if the President will consider their follow up request for SLAJ to acquire the Daily Mail building at Rawdon Street, that will be the best gift of the year to the media.
He drew the attention of the President to the SLAJ East Building project which, he said, is now almost 40% up thanking Chief Brima Swaray of the NPPA and Sheikh Bawoh of the SLRSA for their contributions.
“We call on other well meaning people and organizations to support this initiative for an independent media,” he appealed.
With regards an investment conference for the media, he said they have worked with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the indefatigable Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray and his team, throughout the year to put a program together, but said there are still outstanding issues that they are trying to sort out.
“We will continue to work with the MIC to deliver on this promise by mid next year and we anticipate a conference whose outcomes will change the face of the Sierra Leone media forever,” he stated.
He expressed delight over the just launched Sports Development Fund and a commitment of Le10 Billion Leones from the State. The SLAJ President stated that SLAJ, under his leadership will launch the Golden Jubilee Journalism Welfare Fund by mid January 2022 to cater for the welfare of journalists in times of emergency and to promote independent journalism in Sierra Leone.
Nasralla disclosed how several corporate bodies, including Orange SL, Mercury International and Rokel Commercial Bank have consented to contribute to the seed fund, part of which will be invested in bearer bonds so it will yield dividends periodically.
“We hope other well meaning organizations will come onboard in time for the launching, and I believe the State, and your Excellency, would not want to be left out from this initiative to support independent journalism in the country,” he made an appeal.
He said there are other promises but said they understand the State can only do some because of limited resources, maintaining how journalists understand the times and they will not be Oliver Twist.
Recapping some of the topical controversial highlights of the year, not necessarily in order of sequence, which kept the media and the citizens excited, the President of SLAJ named the following:
- The April 19th Parliamentary Clash in relation to the tabling of the mid-term census instrument which saw MPs throwing punches, doing mix martial arts, police spraying gas and a very senior citizen breaking his fast;
- The appointment of the NEC Commissioner for the Western Area
- The final Re-run MP elections for Constituency 110 which the SLPP lost;
- The Black Johnson Fish Harbour, which we expect to produce patinum fish in the near future;
- The COP26 Glasgow Climate Change Summit and the untimely Public Notice from Leadway for the exportation of our timber;
- Those that are practicing Munku politics in my party, to the idiots who want to interrupt while I am speaking
- The Koinadugu bye election and those conflicting figures,
- The 68 million Dollars the Bank Governor used to bribe hoarders of the Leone to bring back the national currency to the banks but which is the only bribery that is not corruption.
- The SLPP Women’s Leader Elections: we tok am, we do am!
- The indefinite suspension of the Auditor General and her deputy…
And the last, but not the least, which is: “I will continue to Fly!”
He concluded by wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022.
