Independent Media Commission Presents Annual Report
By Marian Samu

The Independent Media Commission (IMC), which came into operation in 2000 by an Act of Parliament, has presented its maiden annual report since its inception to President Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah at his Hill Station office in Freetown.

At the presentation ceremony, the Chairperson of the IMC, Mrs. Bernadette Cole who took up appointment in 2005, told President Kabbah that the year 2005 witnessed substantial progress in the IMC. As of its key mandates, is to develop rules and regulations governing the operations of the media in Sierra Leone and a Media Code of Practice, the IMC Board took up this mandate with zest, and with the active collaboration of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and other stakeholders the exercise was pursued simultaneously with the revision of the IMC Act 2000 to synchronize the information in the Media Code of Practice with that in the Act to minimize conflict in the future. These documents, she said, which are currently being processed by the Law Officers' Department for the attention of, and ratification by Parliament would provide the much needed guidelines to journalists for self regulation and for strengthening the authority of the IMC to carry out its functions more effectively

Among the successes of the IMC Mrs. Cole informed the President that with funds from DFID, the Commission has developed a Resource Centre to ensure that media institutions achieve the highest level of efficiency in the provision of media services and an annual IMC/CELTEL media awards scheme as an incentive for proficiency and excellence in reporting.

In keeping with its mandate to promote media pluralism and freedom of expression throughout the country, the Commission registered 7 new newspapers, 12 new radio stations, 5 new television stations and 3 Direct to Home/DSTV agencies, bringing the total number of newspapers operating in the country to 39, radio stations to 31, international radio relay station to 4, DTH/DSTV agencies to 4 and television stations to 6, although only three of them are operational

Mrs. Cole also explained that the Commission successfully dealt with twenty-six out of twenty-seven complaints received from the public against one radio station and various newspapers during the year under review, while one is still pending. She congratulated all those newspapers that came out regularly and were never brought before the Commission with complaints throughout the year.

Talking about SLAJ's call for a repeal of the defamation and seditious libel laws, the IMC Chairman said following the receipt of a letter from the President's Office stating his thoughts on the issue, the IMC formed a Committee comprising SLAJ and the IMC to chat the way forward. As the laws do not only affect journalists, but also the entire citizens, series of workshops and consultations were held across the country. It however came out that those who do not favour a change in the laws were in the majority, with the argument that if with the "obnoxious laws" the journalists publish libelous articles, false news, inaccuracies and half truths with impunity almost on a daily basis, what legal protection would the citizens have if the laws were repealed.

As there were arguments for and against the laws, Mrs. Cole advised that civil society organizations, in particular SLAJ should continue to sensitise the populace about these laws through workshops, seminars and radio discussion programmes, while journalists must themselves make conscious effort to turn around the bad image they have in the society so that more people will appreciate the need for a review of these laws.

On future plans, Mrs. Cole said the Commission intends to provide a more conducive and efficient working environment by ensuring that adequate office equipment is in place. She also stated that with the spread of media institutions, and in particular radio stations throughout the country, there is need to set up of satellite offices in the regions to decentralize its work . The Commission also needs a sturdy vehicle to be able to work more closely with the media institutions around the country.

As the body mandated to advise the government on media policy, Mrs. Cole said that the Commission intends to work with the group that has been calling for the enactment of the Access to Information Act, so that collectively with other stakeholders, such an Act could be developed for the attention of Parliament.

She however called on government to consider an increase in its subvention to enable the Commission take on the many challenges that lie ahead as the Commission is constrained by lack of funds and adequate logistics including vehicle and thanked Government for giving the Commission a free hand to pursue its mandate without any interference.

The President, Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in his response said he was highly impressed with the well thought out report, adding that this was the first report to be presented to the government since the setting up of the Commission.
He congratulated the chairman and members and for the professionalism exhibited in carrying out their responsibility. He

gave the assurance that government would find time to study it and respond to some of the issues raised.

He was pleased to note the chairman's statement confirming the non-interference of government in the Commission's work. He said he has very high regards for the journalism profession, adding that in normal situation, SLAJ should be a very powerful institution to see that democracy is maintained. He observed that in countries like the UK and the United States journalists are very highly regarded because they do their job in a professional way, and get the truth to the people. But spreading slanderous and libelous news presents a bad image of the country. He therefore advised all to try to protect the image of this country as it is all ours.

The conflict, he said has taken us 25 years backwards and we should all try as much as possible to put the conflict behind us and work towards national cohesion.

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