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SLAJ 2024 AGM: MRCG National Coordinator's Remarks

STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF THE MEDIA REFORM COORDINATING GROUP (#MRCG), DR. FRANCIS SOWA ESQ. AT THE SIERRA LEONE ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS (#SLAJ) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (#AGM) IN BO, 27TH SEPTEMBER 2024.
Mr. Chairman,
The Hon. Justice Abdulai Bangura, Justice of the Supreme Court
The Learned Seniors
Our veterans of this noble profession
Deputy Minister of Informa on and Communications
UNDP Resident Coordinator
Chairmen of the IMC and RAIC
Our dynamic SLAJ president
Other distinguished personalities and colleagues

Good morning. I bring you greetings from the MRCG. #SLAJ remains the key founding and most supportive member organization of #MRCG.

Let me congratulate SLAJ on holding another Annual General Mee ng (AGM). The theme for this year’s AGM- CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD: New Constitution for an Inclusive and Stronger SLAJ- is unique and special for many reasons. Among them, the Association unlike other themes for previous years- is focusing on itself. #SLAJ has turned the searchlight to itself.

The theme for this year’s #AGM resonates with Recommendation 2 of the NATIONAL ACTION PLAN developed at the end of the NATIONAL MEDIA VIABILITY AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE. The said Recommendation provides that “The existing legal and regulatory framework for the media needs to be reviewed.” Sub recommendation 3 notes that “The media should commit to re-engineering the industry in order to boost the potential for attracting private-sector investment and
public subsidies” further provides that…” The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) should take concrete steps to enhance and safeguard its independence, thereby ensuring that it is able to function as a trade union acting in the interests of its members. It should seek to secure its funding largely from members’ fees and play a role in self-regulation and upholding professional standards.”

Just yesterday, I read an article about the Nation Media Viability and Investment Conference indicating that “The much-hyped media viability conference held years ago now appears to have been a mere facade.” Recommendation 6 states that government and development partners should commit to a national fund for public interest media. While we understand the high hopes but also the frustration of the writer, as manager of the Fund, I would like to point out that it is still a work in progress. With Support from #IFPIM, we have established the Secretariat; there
is now a multi-stakeholder board for the Fund chaired by our President- who will speak about the Fund; we have the operating framework, including the Technical Committee ready to receive and process applications for the grant. We hope the government will fulfil the long-awaited promise by providing its own amount to the Fund. We have run out of time.

Mr. Chairman, this #AGM should be a time of proper reflection and resolve to achieve one aim-leaving this place with an adopted constitution on to ensure an inclusive and stronger SLAJ. It is time for the physician to heal thyself.

Long live press freedom. Long live SLAJ!

Photos Credit: https://www.facebook.com/alusinerwilson?mibextid=ZbWKwL

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