At IMC Launch Of Media Election Coverage Regulations…
Information Minister Calls For Factual Reporting
By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) with support from the European Union (EU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), on Monday 27th March 2023, officially launched the “Print and Electronic Regulation 2022” and “IMC Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations”, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown.
The regulations would not only ensure fair coverage and reporting of events before, during, and after the June 24th General Elections, but would ensure media houses give fair airtime/space to all players involved in the June election.
In his keynote address, Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, called for responsible journalism, espousing that the Government of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is committed to expanding the media space, but cautioned that this should not be used as an excuse to promote reckless journalism.
“The media is not a platform to promote tribal and divisive messages, IMC and SLAJ must ensure a conducive media environment that promotes cohesion and factual dissemination of information to the public”, he affirmed.
Dr. Victor Massaquoi, Chairman of IMC, said these regulations were done extensively in collaboration with partners in the media ecosystem, and announced that the popularization of the Regulations will soon commence.
In his remarks, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, welcomed the implementation of the Regulations, saying it would ensure fair and transparent reporting during the June Elections, adding that President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has done well by creating the enabling environment and ensuring the media thrives.
“Nobody will hide behind freedom of press or freedom of speech, we must ensure we report fact and accurate information. SLAJ will continue to protect the work of all journalists and support them in their work”, he stressed.
He continued by calling for institutional independence, fair, transparent and responsible reporting during the General Elections.
Representatives from National Elections Watch (NEW), IDEA, Independent Media Network (IRN) and Guild of Newspaper Editors (GoNE) made meaningful statements, and a power point presentations climaxed the event.
