By: Mohamed Sahr
Enhancing the promotion of public media interest and the reengineering of the media ecosystem in Sierra Leone, the 0Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) in partnership with SLAJ, IMC, BBC Media Action and the Government of Sierra Leone has launched the Nation Fund for Public Interest Media Sierra Leone on Monday at Cabenda Hotel Conference Hall in Freetown.
Dr Francis Sowa, National Coordinator for Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and the Program Manager of the National Fund for Public Interest Media (NAFPIM) said the driving force behind the fund for public interest media was rooted during the first National Media Viability and Investment Conference which was held sometimes in April last year; adding that seven key recommendations were borne out of the conference, among them was the establishment of the national fund for public media interest which would be supported by the Government and other international organizations.
He mentioned that the International Fund for Public Media Interest awarded the grant to Sierra Leone for the pilot phase as a result of the tremendous work from the Minister of Information and Communication and the Sierra Association of Journalists (SLAJ) that led to the repeal of the criminal libel law. Dr Sowa said the symbiotic launching of the grant would provide a level ground where a lot of technical issues would be addressed. “In the next year, it is expected that we would have a grant which we would start to give to media institutions in Sierra Leone,” Dr Sowa assured.
He said the grant would come with serious responsibilities from media institutions because of the standard sets otherwise criteria ranging from governance structure of the media institutions, management, and financial timeline among others. Dr. Sowa emphasized that after the awarding of the grant, they would open an application for media institutions to sign in which would checkmate all of the criteria being set.
He continued that they want to see a journalism that holds people to account particularly the government, opposition and business people. He added that a particular media house that would meet the criteria would have a share from the grant in order to enhance its operation.
Dr Sowa revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone had promised to put in a match funding of one hundred thousand Dollars as a way of supporting public interest media in Sierra Leone.
“Even though we have had the support but we are sure of not compromising our profession as media people,” Dr Sowa reaffirmed.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said the grant would be the new beginning for an excellent performance of media institutions; noting that it would as well create a friendly environment for media practitioners in order to enhance public interest media that would grow beyond leaps and bounds.
Mustapha Kargbo, National Coordinator for BBC Media Action added that the symbiotic launching of the grant came along with extensive consultations from international partners. He said it is only when media is free and independent, that it performs and fulfills the democratic process. “Any single initiative will address all the challenges that impede the operation of the media,” Kargbo said.
Umaru Fofana, Formal President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) urged business people, government and international partners to invest in the media as a way of changing the course of the game. He said media practitioners should crave themselves to be torch bearers to any menace as well as be accountable for ill happenings in communities they find themselves. “Do not make your presence insignificant,” Fofana said.
Mohamed Rahman Swarray, Minister of Information and Communication stated that the repeal of the criminal libel law saw the influx of more women in journalism. He said the Government of Sierra Leone would ensure to provide more desirable opportunities to ameliorate the media poverty as well as the operation of free and independent media in Sierra Leone.
He committed that the President Bio-led administration would provide one hundred thousand Dollars as a form of support to the public media interest in the country.
