By: Alusine Rehme Wilson - (AR-Wilson)
The Minister of Information and Communications (MIC), Hon. Mohamed Rado Swarray, officially visited the Northern Regional office of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) yesterday after presiding over the first weekly provincial Press Conference held at the Makeni City hall.
In recognition of the very deliberate and intentional efforts of the Minister in broadening the scope of press freedom, especially, with regards the elimination of the seditious libel law, the leadership and membership of SLAJ North accorded him the honour to unveil the solidly erected signpost of the Association in the region.
The Minister was visibly and audibly happy. He commended the leadership of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) North for the leadership displayed by supporting the Press Conference and the honour accorded him to unveil the signpost erected on the frontage of their newly established office premises on 18 Teko Road, Makeni City.
Addressing Journalists from various media houses within and without Makeni city, the Hon Minister Mohamed Rado Swarray said his ministry is ready to work with all provincial Journalists including SLAJ regional offices in the country because he is with the conviction that Freetown is not Sierra Leone, he noted that the first provincial press briefing in Makeni is a clear indication of his commitment to decentralize his ministry.
He revealed that the government of President Julius Maada Bio is determined to make sure that the obnoxious seditious libel law of 1965 is removed from our law books to give free will to Journalists to perform their role and responsibility in a responsible manner without fear or favor. He noted that freedom is not free and that freedom is not only the absence of restraints but rather the ability to do what is right.
He disclosed that his government is sincere in building human index structures to match international standards and best practices. He noted the centrality of education and the flagship program in the Bio’s administration the “Free and quality education” stating out that education is the only collateral that cannot divorce men and women in society.
He further revealed that President Bio is a listening president who is ready to work for the people of Sierra Leone and to attest to this claim, president Bio has empowered the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) more than ever before because he is with the conviction that corruption is one of the major factors that has undermine the country’s development.
He concluded that President Bio’s government does not believe in appointing people on the basis of tribal or regional considerations but by merit.
On behalf of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Northern Region, Chairman Sahr James Bangah thanked the Minister of information and Communications for his giant step in decentralizing the weekly press briefing at the provincial headquarters of the country.
He reiterated that the Ministry of Information and Communications is a “talk and do” ministry and that SLAJ north will continue to strengthen this partnership.
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