Post a comment 
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has organized a one-day training for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery on the theme “Enhancing Parliamentary Journalism for Effective Democratic Governance.” The event took place in Committee Room One at the Parliament Building in Freetown.
In his welcome address, Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Gilbert Bosco N’habay, extended warm greetings to members of the Press Gallery and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to working closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability. He encouraged journalists to remain objective and accurate in their reporting of parliamentary proceedings.
Delivering her remarks, Interim President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, Feima Sesay, expressed gratitude to the administration of Parliament for its consistent support. She emphasized that parliamentary journalism goes beyond mere reporting, noting that it involves providing factual and insightful information on parliamentary activities. She urged her colleagues to uphold professionalism and responsibility in their work.
President of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union, Yeanor Kabia, commended Parliament for fostering collaboration with the media and underscored the importance of objectivity and integrity in national reporting.
Also speaking, Vice President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), Mabinty Magdalene Kamara, lauded Parliament for organizing the capacity-building exercise, describing ethical reporting as the foundation of responsible journalism. She praised Parliament for its gender-inclusive approach and called on journalists to perform their duties diligently and with integrity.
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Manika Kamara, thanked the leadership of Parliament for creating a conducive environment for parliamentary reporting. He called for continuous training and engagement to strengthen professional standards and ensure effective communication between Parliament and the public.
Deputy Leader of Government Business II, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, highlighted the pivotal role of journalism in promoting peace and nation-building. He encouraged parliamentary reporters to exercise responsibility and fairness in their coverage of legislative activities.
Delivering the keynote address, Clerk of Parliament, Karmoh Conteh, reaffirmed his respect for the media, describing journalists as indispensable partners in strengthening democratic accountability. He urged reporters to familiarize themselves with parliamentary rules and procedures for accuracy and fairness.
Mr. Conteh commended President Julius Maada Bio for repealing Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965, which had criminalized libel, and reminded journalists that while Parliament welcomes both positive and critical reporting, it must always be done responsibly. He also emphasized the need for improved dress codes and the issuance of official identification cards for accredited parliamentary journalists.
The training sessions were moderated by Sulaiman Bah, Principal Public Relations Officer in charge of the Press Gallery. Presentations were made by Sheku Lamin Turay, Director of the Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, on Understanding Parliament and Techniques of Effective Reporting, alongside other facilitators who discussed Ethical Journalism, Social Media, Investigative Reporting, and Challenges and Opportunities in Parliamentary Reporting.
The event concluded successfully, reinforcing Parliament’s commitment to strengthening professional journalism and enhancing transparency in governance.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/16VpoTScAv/
