By Amin Kef Sesay
In a program held at SLAJ’s headquarters on the 3rd May 2021 to celebrate World Press Freedom day, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) joined the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to commemorate world press freedom day; a day set aside for the recognition of journalism across the word.
This year’s event was centered on opening the book of reflections on the repealed Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965. The reflections were done by journalists who suffered in the era of Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965 as they shared their bitter experiences with the then law.
In his remarks, Dr. Francis Sowa, National Coordinator for MRCG appreciated SLAJ and all other stakeholders for standing through all the struggles to see the repeal of Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965. He appreciated the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for their continued support to MRCG for press freedom and other reforms in the media of Sierra Leone.
“As we celebrate today, let us also know that there are still inconclusive matters on the arrest and detention of journalists. At the MRCG, we have consistently followed cases of assaults and intimidation of journalists across the country and some matters are neither progressing nor discharged,” Dr. Sowa mentioned.
Dr. Sowa additionally stated that the MFWA recently did a study with the help of MRCG on the safety and security of journalists in Sierra Leone and discovered that there are issues of safety and security concerns which are to be addressed by authorities concerned.
The President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, appreciated partners and donors for supporting Sierra Leone’s media organizations in achieving press freedom and freedom of speech. He made reference to the Cybercrime bill which he said should be scrutinised before enactment into law. He also called on journalists to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
The IMC Chairman, Mr. George Khoyarma, commended the government for the bold step it took to repeal the criminal libel law. He called on SLAJ and all media practitioners to work together in the interest of the profession.
The Information Minister, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray reiterated Government’s commitment to promoting press freedom. He promised to work with MRCG and SLAJ to address inconclusive matters dealing with journalists.
