The Deputy Speaker in the House of Parliament, Solomon Sengepoh Thomas, has disclosed that media investment in Sierra Leone is yet to be properly explored. Mr. Thomas made this comment during the launching ceremony of the A-Z Multimedia Corporation on 4th February 2021 at Robert Street, Freetown.
The Deputy Speaker maintained that the problem of media investment has become even worse with the emergence of social media where information is being made available in the palms of the public within seconds.
He added that there are a lot of areas in the media where investments could be made, noting that as Members of Parliament they will always work to promote and enhance free speech in the country so the media will thrive as a whole.
He ended up calling on investors to pay attention to the media, and thanked the proprietor of A-Z Multimedia for having the courage to put their money in the media.
The A-Z Multimedia Corporation is the new kid on the block in terms of media platform in Sierra Leone, with newspaper, television and radio stations in their portfolio.
In his statement, the CEO of A-Z Multimedia, Ibrahim Seibureh said, “We see the environment ripe to invest in media for professional excellence. The reforms introduced by this government to expunge anti-media provisions in the organic law put us under the obligation to be responsible.”
He noted that “we have put together a fine blend of old, young and motivated reporters and marketers to ensure that respectability is accorded to journalism and media practice.”
Representing the Independent Media Commission, was Commissioner Mustapha Sesay, who called on the A-Z Multimedia Corporation to operate and work within the ambit of the IMC Act by adhering to all the ground rules.
He congratulated them for their initiative and emphasised on the area of sustainability, which has affected many media houses in the country.
Launching the A-Z Multimedia Corporation, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, said launching the A-Z media platform is a contribution to President Bio’s manifesto commitment of job creation in the country.
He noted that the media is a barometer to measure progress in society, adding that under their reign as a government the Criminal Libel Law has become history. The Minister underscored that the media and the government cannot exist without the other, adding that they should work side by side in the interest of peace and development.
A member of the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication, Boston Munda, said media is a part of good governance and its role in the development of a nation cannot be overemphasised.
“We have repealed the Criminal Libel Law,” he said, adding that there is also the Access to Information Law in the country, all supported by Parliament to promote the media.
MB/5/2/2021
By mohamedj.bah@awokonewspaper.sl