MRCG TRAINS JOURNALISTS ON MEDIA REGULATION IN THE POST CRIMINAL LIBEL ERA
In an effort to bolster professionalism in Sierra Leone’s media landscape, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has engaged and trained media practitioners
from various media houses across the country on the new Independent Media Commission Act of 2020 and the 1961 Civil Libel law for effective and responsible journalism. The training started in Freetown on the 9th December 2020 continued in Makeni on the 15th December 2020 and ended in Bo on the 16th December 2020. The training targeted station managers, editors, producers, senior reporters and proprietors of media houses across the country.
Addressing Senior Editors, Station Managers and others that graced the trainings, the National Coordinator for the MRCG, Dr. Francis Sowa thanked them for honoring the training invitation, stating that the training was timely especially on new provisions of the IMC Act of 2020 which many journalists are yet to au fait themselves with. He explained that the purpose of the training was to get them abreast with the IMC Act 2020 and refresh their minds on provisions of the 1961 Civil Libel law.
“We promised the people of this country that after the repeal we are going to continue capacity building for journalists and here we are fulfilling that promise. Repealing of Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965 is not a ticket to any form of reckless journalism but rather to enhance professional practice and a free media space. As the media industry in Sierra Leone can now breathe with the 55 year giant- Part of the 1965 Public Order Act- who stood on top of the media fraternity and industry has been removed, let us live up to the expectation of the public by being professional,” Dr Sowa expressed.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasrala thanked the MRCG for the training and encouraged journalists to keep the good work in promoting ethical practice that match international best practice. Mr. Nasrala told them that as senior media practitioners, they are expected to train their staff at their various media houses. He encouraged them to have a copy of the IMC Act of 2020 and to make sure they are abreast with its provision so as not to come in conflict with the law.
Mr Kapuwa Esq as the facilitator explained significant provisions in the IMC Act of 2020, especially those dealing with reregistration of media house, payment of NASSIT, NRA and staff, compliance with the minimum wage, licensing and continuation of operation of media houses in conformity with the new Act. He urged journalists to see the IMC Act of 2020 as a self-regulatory mechanism and a guide to their profession and not as another curtailing measures to hinder press freedom.
Mr Kapuwa Esq also reminded journalists that although Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965 has been repealed, there is still the civil libel law which citizens can use to seek redress against journalists and individuals they think have infringed on their rights. He explained that under the civil libel law, a journalist might not be imprisoned since it is civil but that the person can be fined heavily and that failure to pay the fines will lead to the person being declared bankrupt. He ended by urging journalists to be responsible and professional.
The trainings were climaxed with journalists pledging their commitment to buy a copy of the IMC Act of 2020, to train their staff with the knowledge they have gained and to abide by the provisions of the IMC Act 2020.