By: James Kamara-Manneh
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) which is mandated to regulate the professional flow of media practice in Sierra Leone on Monday had a frank discussion on pertinent issues about ethics and clarity of publication or broadcasting.
At his welcome address, Executive Secretary Khalie Kallon said the IMC is there to ensure that there is sanity in media and that the IMC ACT and IMC Code of Practice are the main tools that must guide the practice of professional journalism. He adds that the processing to access media and licenses is not an attempt to infringe on the rights of freedom of speech or expression for any journalist. However, he said there are laid down criteria set in the new IMC Code of Practice of 2022 which is under review. He further added that the onus is on journalists to protect both their rights and the profession, blending both at the same time can be difficult; therefore the Chairman and Commissioners have decided to set the pace by meeting with key stakeholders in the media practice, because “it not going to be the IMC as usual,” he affirms.
Whereas, the Chairperson of the Commission Dr. Victor Massaquio addressed various media representatives from both the print and electronic media and spoke on ten key bullet points in addressing the media problems and soliciting ways to solve them. The Chairman was poised and firm with his point and told attendees that the microphone and the pen are two powerful tools that can tear apart a nation. He cited the Rwanda story where the media (radio) was used to spread hatred, dehumanize people and even guide the genocidaires toward their victims. He said the commission will not seat idling allowing the media to reach the such peak and not allow defaulters of the IMC code of Practice to stain the profession. Chairman Massaquoi said any media house found wanting will have itself to blame under the New IMC Act which gives enormous powers to the Commission.
Especially to radio broadcasters, he admonished them to make good use of their tone of voice when on air, reporting, on talk shows, and phone programs. He said there the commission noticed that most radio stations do not have the mechanism to delay phone calls during phone programs to control the utterances of the caller. Rather, he calls on practitioners to exhibit accuracy, balance, clarity, credibility and fairness in public education, entertainment, information and persuasion during their profession.
Finally, he cautioned the media to avoid tribal messages, promotion of lawlessness and to work in tendon with other media outlets as signs of media unity, freedom, justice, national cohesion and peace.
The meeting climaxed with interactive sessions of both questions and answers from media professionals.
