June 7, 2021
The President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Madam Michaela Eddinia Swallow, has stated today, 3rd June, 2021 that Lawyers and Journalists share a common cause to promote the Rule of Law, safeguard Good Governance and protect Human Rights.
As lawyers, President Swallow said they are always in readiness to take up those issues by challenging the actions in court whilst journalists do so through various publications in the media. She applauded President Nasralla for sustaining the partnership and collaboration between the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and the Sierra Leone Bar Association.
“Thank you President Nasralla for fanning this flame of collaboration between these two great professional bodies,” President Swallow said.
Speaking on the theme: “Looking Inwards: towards a strong and united SLAJ and a free and professional media”, marking the commemoration of SLAJ’s Golden Jubilee in Bo City, Galliness Paradise Hotel Hall, President Swallow urged media practitioners to use the AGM as an opportunity to learn from the past, address the present challenges and prepare for the future.
According to her, SLAJ can look back with pride because of the pivotal role the Association has played in strengthening democracy and peace consolidation.
She said, “As your Association addresses the current challenges ranging from the economic sustainability of media outlets to improving the working conditions of Journalists, remember that every professional association has its challenges but you must face them, embrace them, defy them and conquer them. As you look inwards, you must also prepare for the future as the rise of the new media has enabled the spread of disinformation and continues to undermine professional journalism.”
She used the occasion to join SLAJ in celebrating the repeal of Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965 and the enactment of the Independent Media Commission Act of 2020.
President Swallow reiterated that Journalism is more than just a profession, adding that it is “that oxygen that keeps our democracy alive.”
Referencing the Sierra Leone Constitution (Act No. 6 of 1991), especially Section 11 thereto, Lawyer Swallow reminded her audience that the Constitution confers an obligation on the media to highlight the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.
She commended and congratulated media practitioners for their commitment to the profession amidst those challenges.
On his part, the Minister of Information and Communications, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, admonished journalists to pay keen attention on issues of press freedom and ethical values that will lead to the growth of the media profession.
Under their leadership, he said the media industry is growing increasingly but there is still need to collaborate to foster development.
Hon. Swaray said His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has pledged his commitment to support a pluralistic press and pledged to continue in supporting SLAJ as an independent Association.
President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said COVID 19 didn’t spare any sector including the media. Despite those challenges, he said the media has always been there to report the stories.
He revealed that SLAJ partnered with Civil Society Organisations to organise the first Presidential Debate, stating that the outcome was successful and commendable.
In his Keynote address, the UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi said development issues have been under-reported and therefore encouraged journalists to also focus on development and human interest stories.
Whilst commending Journalists for the key advocacy role for the repeal of the 1965 Public Order Act, especially Part 5 of the said Act, the UN Resident Coordinator urged journalists to continue to report the truth in a balanced and objective manner as the country prepares for the 2023 national elections.