Last weekend, SLPP flag-bearer, Julius Maada Bio, revealed the manifesto plan dubbed the “New Direction”. One campaign promise is to repeal the seditious libel law and replace it with another law.
He said replacing the law “will hold journalists accountable to protect the rights of citizens, attract and allow investments in journalism. And we will develop and implement a capacity plan for journalists and provide a yearly subvention for the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).”
Journalists are no strangers to this promise. In 2007, President Ernest Bai Koroma made similar promises. But, ten years down the line, journalists especially SLAJ are still fighting for the repeal of this obnoxious act, in part five of the 1965 Public Order Act.
In 2012, the New Direction Manifesto of the SLPP, in part, stated:
· Repeal the seditious libel law
· Review and enact the Freedom of Information Bill
· Enact policies and laws to develop the capacity of journalists
· Support the School of Journalism and other institutions to train journalists
· Encourage the private sector to invest in the media
· Provide from the budget a yearly subvention to SLAJ
· Build the capacity of the IMC to enforce the IMC Act
· Review the legal and operational status of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) to make it a truly professional national broadcaster
The National Campaign Coordinator of SLPP, Alie Kabba, said, “Bio is concerned about it [Public Order Act] because he sees it as part of the failures of the democratic values in our country. He is committed to making sure that the State works for people and institutions work. This will be a major priority for us because there is no way we will have a fourth estate operating in a climate of fear at the same time we talk about our commitment to democracy.”
Kabba emphasised, “The reason why people distrust government is because information about is not available. So we want to make sure that we strengthen the fourth estate that is the reason he is also committed to providing an annual subvention to the association.” Kabba sees a subvention “as an investment in democratic values. It is not an attempt to co-opt any entities”. The idea is to “insulate SLAJ from the pressures of politics. That is why we are not talking about the SLPP government; it is going to be an act of Parliament.”
He said “when you are sure of an amount in the budget, you plan ahead; you start to become more professional. You are insulated from the day-to-day limitations of what funds come in and how you run your programms.”
When they start to see that we value the fourth estate not just as a slogan but supporting the day-to-day operations, I am confident that once we start the ball rolling, it becomes the body fabric of our politics here. Whoever comes will not touch that foundation action. It becomes solid. It also means that the fourth estate becomes more responsible. It is two way street, we are going to fight for the freedom of the fourth estate at the same time we are going to see the fourth estate become more responsible.” If SLAJ is sure of annual funding, then they will provide technical assistance to its members. The membership will see the value of being part of the Association. A well-balanced, professional and responsible media will help to inform citizens and at the same time will keep government on its toes.”
BM/20/11/17
By Betty Milton
Tuesday November 21, 2017.
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