In Freetown, the UN invited journalists to a reception at its new headquarters on Signal Hill. The SL Association of Journalists (SLAJ) president, Umaru Fofana, and the Information and Communication Minister, Alahji Ben Karbo, both addressed the audience of about 100 media professionals.
Unlike the situation in many African countries, reporters in SL enjoy relative safety and can work without the fear of state repression and harassment. But getting access to information and obtaining interviews with public officials remain considerable obstacles to those pursuing investigative journalism.
SLAJ and the Society for Democratic Initiatives are leading a campaign for the passage of a Freedom of Information Act. The minister announced that the bill is currently going through the legislative process in Parliament.
The 1965 Public Order Act continues to impede many stories from reaching the public. It criminalizes the release of confidential information by allowing prosecution on grounds of seditious libel. Journalists are eager for this piece of legislation to be repealed, but nobody can tell when this will happen.
In 2000, to reduce the number of such prosecutions, the Independent Media Commission was set up to mediate disputes between reporters, editors, and rival media houses.
Meanwhile, young reporters are learning on the job, often working long hours on a volunteer basis. They are the ones producing the news that comes out of SL. Sometimes they wonder if anyone beyond the country's borders is listening. But their motivation comes from the loyal local audience that relies on them for information.
Posts
