The Media Alliance for Children (MEDIAC) has reactivated its eastern region branch executive to Mann the affairs of the organization for a two year term.
The executive election took place at the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA) building along Maxwell Khobe Street in Kenema city under the auspices of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) eastern region executive.
Before the formation of the executive the chairman of the meeting who is also the Station Manager of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) Kenema Andrew Smith welcomed all to the meeting and described MEDIAC as another offspring of SLAJ citing WIMSAL and Reporters Union.
He said the organization deals with issues affecting children and he therefore appealed to UNICEF and other organisations to continue supporting them to achieve their objectives, adding that as Journalists they will do everything possible to continue supporting MEDIAC.
Giving a brief background of the organization the Acting Coordinator Ibrahim Karim –Sei disclosed that the Media Alliance for Children (MEDIAC) was formed in 1996 by a group of Journalists following the return of Constitutional rule in Sierra Leone.
It was the first media advocacy group formed by Journalists and supported by UNICEF, adding that the media group realized then that in a war torn country like Sierra Leone, children were the most vulnerable, but received little or no attention in terms of media coverage.
There was little or no knowledge of the HIV and AIDS pandemic and its impact on children. There was also the lack of basic amenities such as health care and educational facilities.
In his statement the chairman of SLAJ eastern region Mohamed Vandi said as Journalists they must be seen disseminating information not only targeting corrupt politicians but also focusing on children’s issues.
He cited instances of street children and children whose rights are violated.
He thanked UNICEF for supporting children programmes in Sierra Leone.
In his statement the Communication Officer UNICEF Isaac Davies assured the Journalists of their support. The whole house resolved to appoint the following Journalists to the various positions.
The position for the Regional Coordinator went to Mohamed Amara Josiah, the Assistant Regional Coordinator went to Juliet Batilo Yokie of Eastern Radio, the position for the Secretary General went to James Samai the production manager of Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS), the Financial Secretary position went to Alice Mustapha of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) Eastern Region, Yayah K.Brima of Spin Radio or Nongowa radio was appointed the Publicity Secretary and the position for the Organising Secretary went to Fayia Milson Morris of Focus Newspaper.
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