By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a Press Release dated 1st April 2023 and signed by Alhaji Manika Kamara, National Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), news about the departure of the President of the aforementioned Association, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, to the United States of America to participate in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) was stated.
Also mentioned was that the IVLP is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program designed to introduce emerging foreign leaders to their American counterparts, U.S society, culture and values.
Further stated was that the program will run from 2nd April to 22nd April 2023 with participants from 22 countries including from Africa (Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, and Burundi), Europe, South and North America, Asia, Middle East, among others.
Revealed was that the program involves visits to multiple cities and some American families across the United States with the aim of building strong people-to-people ties and fostering long-lasting collaboration with current and future global leaders.
It was underscored that each year nearly 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the International IVLP and more than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.
“This is my first time of visiting the US and it is good that it is happening through the IVLP which gives me a huge opportunity to experience the world’s greatest nation first-hand with the guidance of the American people themselves. I am as excited as I believe this will build on my leadership abilities in the last five years as the President of journalists in Sierra Leone. I look forward to meeting and sharing experiences with my counterparts from around the world and come back home to share those experiences and make meaningful impact,” said President Nasralla.
Also mentioned in the Press Release was that the SLAJ President will stay on for about a week after the program to pay courtesy calls on key international democratic and media freedom institutions including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). He is also expected to visit the Sierra Leone Embassy in the US and meet with Sierra Leone Journalists and AWOL US Chapter members.
The SLAJ President is expected back home on the 29th of April 2023. In his absence, the Vice President of SLAJ, Mr. Sahr James Bangah, is Acting President.
In another Press Release dated Friday, 31st March 2023 and captioned “SLAJ Condemns Alleged Attack on FOP Radio Station Manager” it was stated a complaint was received by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) from the Management of Fountain of Peace Radio in Moyamba District, Southern Region, of an alleged attack and assault of the Station Manager, Alie Tokowa whilst on duty, allegedly by supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) on the instruction of the former District Council Chairman Joseph Gbogba on Tuesday 28th March 2023 at the SLPP Party Office in Moyamba District.
Further stated was that, according to the victim, he was invited by a Mr. Lamboi (one of the aspirants for the Moyamba District Council chairmanship) to provide Outdoor Broadcast (OB) for him while at the SLPP party office.
He continued that upon arrival he was allowed to enter the party office and observed the event, during which argument started among supporters of both aspirants.
“Soon after, fighting broke out and they started throwing stones at each other,” Alie explained. He said during the fighting, some supporters of the former District Council Chairman were recording the incident with their mobile phones, which gave him the confidence to also follow suit so that he would have evidence if the need arises.
According to the journalist, the former District Council Chairman spotted him taking the video and instructed his boys, led by Joseph Kamara aka Jokay, to beat him and take his phone from him. He added that over four youths rushed at him and they kicked, slapped and dragged him to the floor inside the party office. He said he was forcefully taken inside a room whilst onlookers were shouting ‘You are killing a journalist!’
It was also stated that the victim informed SLAJ during a visit at the Connaught hospital, where he is now receiving treatment, that the youths used his head to open one of the doors at the party’s office, which led to him currently experiencing serious pain on his head, neck and other body parts.
Alie, it was disclosed is currently responding to treatment at the Trauma Ward 5 Connaught hospital.
It was said, however, when contacted by SLAJ, the former District Council Chairman denied the allegations against his person stating that he was not even around when the incident started and that he never instructed anyone to attack or assault the FOP Radio Station Manager. He further described the allegations as fake.
SLAJ says, nevertheless, it condemns the alleged attack on the FOP Station Manager and calls on the local authorities to protect journalists and their media houses in Moyamba district from intimidation, threats, and attacks by politicians and members of the public who feel aggrieved about their work.
SLAJ called on the Police to impartially investigate the matter and bring to book the alleged perpetrators.
“This alleged incident is a sign of things to come during this election. Local authorities and political parties and their supporters must respect and protect journalists covering every stage of the elections and ensure their safety and security at all times. We also urge media houses to have measures in place for the personal safety of their workers before they send them out to cover elections activities,” said SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
SLAJ Condemns all Forms of Violence Against Journalists Before, During & After Elections.
Meanwhile, it wishes to continue to inform the public that journalists can be reported for misconduct and unprofessionalism to the SLAJ Disciplinary Committee or the Independent Media Commission (IMC).
