The Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Swaray has assured members of the fourth Estate that the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) led government is committed to the repeal of Part 5 of the 1965 Public Order that Act that criminalizes Libel. He reaffirmed government’s commitment whilst addressing journalists at State House on strides made in his Ministry in the first 100 days in office.
The Information Minister revealed that their government had convened meetings with all stakeholders in the communication sector for the repeal of part 5 of the 1965 Public Order Act, which criminalizes the work of a journalist in Sierra Leone. He said the matter and paper work in that direction is presently with the Attorney General for advise and the next step toward the repeal. This according to him was a major and great progress the government and the umbrella Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) executive had made so far.
The Information Minister reliably assured journalists that, “When SLAJ visited me to pay me a courtesy call I assured them that I know you have visited several of my predecessors here before me but I will like to guarantee you next time when you visit me here it will be to convene your appreciation to His Excellency President Bio for successfully repealing the Criminal Libel Law.”
Journalist James Bundu, and National Coordinator for Change Media Sierra Leone, said the parent body for journalists in the country had presented options for the expunging of the said part 5 from the law books of the country but noted that successive government had not only failed the media but also disappointed, wasted the time and misinformed members of the press.
James said if the present government under the leadership of President Bio and the current Information Minister, repeal that section from the law book, it will serve as an historic decision taken by them especially in modern times.
The Minister of Information Mohamed Swarray described their government as one that is ‘irrevocably committed’ to the repeal of the criminal libel law because according to him, they are presently in an advanced stage with many testimonies and witnesses to confirm that.
The National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, in an exclusive interview said as an executive they are pleased with the present government’s stance on the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law stressing that the steps so far are very encouraging and that as an association, they are optimistic that the issue will soon be talk of the past.
The Information Minister highlighted within his 100 days in office he was able to align the ICT policy, review the National Tele Communication Act so that it will reflect the current cost of data and voice across the sub-region, developed the Electronic Transaction Bill, review of the SALCAB gateway contract to ensure quality management monitoring and up scaling of services. He informed that the government is implementing open space policy for wider competitiveness hence removing all encumbrances that serve as barriers to other service providers.
Mohamed Swaray said, part of government objectives for the sector is to increase access in Tele Communication, improve quality and drive down cost.
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By Mohamed Kabba
Twitter: @chikakabba
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