By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliamentary Press Gallery has adopted a revised constitution aimed at strengthening its governance, professionalism, membership participation and long-term sustainability.
The constitution was adopted at the Gallery’s first Extraordinary Annual General Meeting in Freetown on Friday, September 25, under the theme, “From Draft to Covenant: Securing the Gallery’s Future.”
The meeting brought together members of the Gallery, representatives of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), affiliated journalists’ associations and parliamentary officials.
Delivering the keynote address, SLAJ President Manika urged members to use the constitutional review process to establish clear and durable rules for the Gallery.
He said the review had been ongoing for several years and recalled that SLAJ had previously supported the Gallery in reviewing its constitution, membership structure and financial status.
Manika called for the revised constitution to be aligned with the SLAJ constitution, particularly on executive tenure and eligibility for leadership positions.
He proposed limiting executive tenure to three years, with eligibility for re-election for another three years, while establishing clear criteria for candidates seeking leadership positions.
He said leadership positions should be open to journalists with sufficient experience covering Parliament and a clear understanding of parliamentary proceedings.
Manika also stressed the need for the Gallery to maintain its independence from Parliament’s public relations structures.
“The Gallery is not an extension of the PR unit of the Parliament of Sierra Leone. You are an independent unit,” he said.
He urged parliamentary journalists to report on Parliament accurately and independently, including analyzing debates, legislation and oversight activities and holding public officials accountable where necessary.
He also called on Parliament to create an enabling environment for journalists and raised concerns about provisions of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, particularly Clause 44(2), which he said could affect journalists seeking information and clarification for their reports.
Chairman of the meeting, Vincent, urged members to treat the constitutional review as an important institutional process and avoid adopting provisions designed to benefit current leaders.
He said the Gallery, which has operated for more than two decades, needed a constitution capable of standing the test of time.
He also stressed the importance of clear provisions to minimize future disputes over interpretation.
President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), Eastina Taylor, urged members to adopt a modern constitution that addresses the current needs of journalists working in Parliament.
She cautioned against making rules to suit current office holders and called on members to scrutinize every provision by considering how it would operate under different circumstances.
Taylor also urged the Gallery to develop sustainable sources of funding, strengthen professional training and establish networks with parliamentary press galleries across Africa.
She called for greater membership participation, urging members to attend meetings, pay dues and contribute to the organization’s activities.
She also advocated for increased participation of women in the Gallery’s leadership.
President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Sahr Morris Jr., urged members to place the long-term interests of the Gallery above individual and executive interests.
Drawing on SWASAL’s experience with constitutional reform, he said organizations should identify and address potential conflicts and weaknesses in their governing documents before they become sources of recurring disputes.
He also called for greater commitment from members, noting that professional associations often have many people interested in leadership positions but fewer willing to contribute to the work required to sustain them.
President of the Sierra Leone Court Reporters Association (SLCRA), Salifu Conteh, said constitutional reform should be accompanied by stronger professional standards.
Reflecting on his previous involvement in the Parliamentary Press Gallery, Conteh recalled efforts to reorganize the Gallery in 2005 following the death of a colleague.
He said the theme of the meeting should translate into action, stressing that “a draft must become a commitment, and a commitment must become an action.”
He urged parliamentary reporters to maintain accuracy, fairness and integrity, warning that errors in parliamentary reporting could have serious consequences for journalists and their institutions.
President of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), Yeanoh Kabia, said a strong institution required more than a constitution, noting that unity, discipline, commitment, professionalism and accountability were equally important.
She reaffirmed the SLRU’s commitment to working with the Gallery to promote journalists’ welfare, safety, training and professional development.
“Do not just write the future of the Gallery, build it. Do not just protect the Gallery, strengthen it. And do not just report the work of Parliament, help the people to understand it,” she said.
Representing the Parliamentary Public Relations Department, Sulaiman Bah, a former Vice President of the Gallery, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to maintaining a constructive relationship with parliamentary journalists.
He said Parliament and the Gallery had worked together over the years to facilitate access to proceedings and strengthen communication between Parliament, the media and the public.
Bah urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and professionalism, saying the new constitution should reflect a commitment to responsible reporting and mutual respect between Parliament and the media.
He assured the Gallery of continued cooperation and support from the Parliamentary Public Relations Department within its mandate.
The adoption of the revised constitution concludes a long-running review process and provides the Parliamentary Press Gallery with a new framework to guide its leadership, membership and professional activities.
Speakers at the meeting urged members to take ownership of the document and ensure that its provisions are translated into practical action as the Gallery moves forward.