In order to keep the public and other related organizations informed about its usual activities, the Society for Democratic Initiatives [SDI] has officially launched the State of the media reports, at the Sierra Leone News Agency, Lightfoot Boston Street, Freetown.
The launching was attended by various representatives of different media houses. In his key note address, the Executive Director Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai said it is the culture of the organization to give an annual detailed report about organizations, including the media with regards to its role in the society.
He said his organization’s challenge is to bring out the problems about the media, and make the necessary recommendations to address the problem. He said last year’s report was fruitful as a lot of positive feedbacks were acknowledged by the organization, noting that the general public was able to understand exactly what the institution stood for.
He however, expressed total disappointment about certain media institutions, for deliberately refusing to publish last year’s report as a result of personal reasons. He also came down hard on the failure of media houses, to give indepth report on issues concerning the state.
While reading the report, the Director, cited some flaws which has created misunderstanding between the media and other stakeholders such as the court, police, and even the politicians. He said there should be a cordial relationship between these institutions, if there should be a free flow of information.
Saffa Abdulai recommended that there is a need for there to be a peaceful – existence amongst the various organizations more especially the Sierra Leone Association of journalists, police, and the independent media commission. In his contribution the chairman of the occasion Dr. Julius Spencer commended SDI for the report.
He said such report would serve as a reminder to true media practitioners, with regards to the dissemination of information to the general public. Dr. Spencer admonished members to bury their differences with SLAJ so as to fight a common course.
He urged journalists to constantly report media related issues in court, in order to keep the public abreast with every day happening that is connected with the media.
By Jon-bu
ADVERTISEMENT