The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone on Friday, 27th January 2012 ended a three-day forum on media and development in post conflict reconstruction at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown.
The forum brought together a wide range of people from politicians, media owners (broadcast and print) and practitioners, bloggers, and community leaders etc. from Sierra Leone and around States of the Commonwealth to discuss and share their views and experiences.
The objective of the forum was to stimulate debate on emerging developments and democracy in the face of professional journalism in the country’s post conflict reconstruction period. The forum evaluated the roles, obligations and responsibilities of the media, civil societies, governments, political parties and other stakeholders in enhancing and promoting development and peace consolidation in the context of identifying and understanding the legal frameworks and necessary mechanisms that enables the smooth operation of the media.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ebun Jusu said that in conflict affected States, the communication sector becomes even more crucial in helping to accomplish the vital tasks of managing expectations, building trust in oversight of State institutions, aiding the formation of an inclusive national identity and fostering the participatory of the citizenry.
She thanked the Commonwealth Secretariat for their tremendous support in ensuring that the forum ends successful.
Ms. Jusu said that since the current government took up power in 2007, it has thrown its weight behind the press and the media in various shapes and forms.
The Deputy Minister expressed the hope of government that the forum strengthens the media in the following areas: to advocate for the higher level strategic policy linkages between media support and the existing human and economic development instruments and frameworks and disseminate research on the role of the media in economic growth, democratization and institutional reform processes.
Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, Mrs Mmasekgoa Masire Mwamba said she witnessed debates on critical issues affecting the media.
She said the discussions during the forum were frank and candid and that lots of problems experienced by the media and media practitioners were highlighted, noting that it is the capacity; self examination and thoughtful accountability that will help us find a way through that will ensure that some of the problems highlighted are addressed.
Mrs. Masire-Mwamba noted that the media’s role is not only to criticize but to contribute to the reconstruction of development of the country. “Journalism profession is challenged to provide content that is researched, context that is contextual and content that is relevant to the issues at hand”, she admonished.
A number of resolutions were reached among which were a call on the current Sierra Leone Parliament to hasten the promulgation of the Access to Information Bill and the repeal of Part Five of the Public Order Act which criminalizes libel.
By Abibatu Kamara and Betty Milton
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