By patricia.ngevao@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In his statement at the engagement on the operations of the National Fund for Public Interest Media (NaFPIM), Mohamed Makmid Kamara, Director for Africa and the Middle East, International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM), called for collaboration with the Sierra Leonean government and key media institutions especially the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), to ensure sustainable support for the national public interest media.
The event, organized by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and the NaFPIM, was held at the Sierra Palms Hotel, Lumley, in Freetown, attracting key stakeholders in the media landscape, non-governmental organizations and donor partners.
Underscoring the critical role of media financing mechanisms in advancing public interest journalism and emphasizing the need to prevent a “media extinction event,” Kamara highlighted IFPIM’s strategic goals and its commitment to supporting traditional journalism and fostering economic resilience in media ecosystems.
Outlining IFPIM’s operational history, dating back to the first session of democracy, and its support from various international entities such as the United States and French governments, Kamara described IFPIM as a multilateral institution dedicated to providing core funding for media sustainability and viability.
“It is important to ensure the availability of credible information for the sustenance of democracy worldwide. IFPIM operates in 39 countries, including Sierra Leone, with plans to expand to 43. In Sierra Leone, IFPIM not only supports media outlets directly but also contributes to building a supportive ecosystem,” he added, reaffirming IFPIM’s commitment to supporting NaFPIM and encouraged other international partners to contribute to the cause of protecting traditional media practitioners and democracy.
President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, highlighted the challenges faced by the media and emphasized the significance of the NaFPIM in addressing these issues, noting that NaFPIM was established to enhance media professionalism and ensure its critical role in providing credible information on governance, holding the government accountable, exposing corruption, and amplifying the voices of the people.
Also, the Country Director of BBC Media Action, Edward Kargbo, spotlighted that media viability in Sierra Leone continues to face challenges. Hence, making events like these are crucial contributions to democracy. He expressed excitement about BBC Media Action’s integral role in supporting media initiatives and highlighted their pride in being part of Sierra Leone’s media development journey.
Emmanuel Turay, Director of Information at the Ministry of Information, highlighted the ministry’s commitment to media investment, poverty alleviation, and enhancing government support for media in Sierra Leone.
Emphasizing the importance of advancing public interest media, addressing media poverty issues, and improving advertising policies to ensure media viability, he reassured ongoing government support and collaboration with international partners, to provide financial and human resource assistance to the traditional media landscape, as well as training programs for media technicians to enhance technological development.
Notably, a presentation on the operations of NaFPIM by Francis Sowa (PhD), revealed 8 recommendations in the National Action Plan, from which the NaFPIM was born. PSN/25/4/2024