34 New Members Join Sierra Leone Association of Journalists

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ) has formally admitted 34 new members into its confines.

The event was held on Monday 9th September 2024, at the association headquarters in Freetown and brought together past presidents and other senior members of the association.

On his address to the new members, Sierra Leone’s BBC Reporter and former president of the association, Umaru Fofona stated that the profession is at a crossroad globally, especially with the advent of the social media, adding that what makes the traditional media outstanding is the level of professionalism.

Fofona further encouraged the new members of their commitment to the association by ensure they become active members which include paying their bills and participating in all SLAJ activities.

According to Kelvin Lewis, also a former president of SLAJ in his statement said SLAJ started with a fight between journalists and politicians.

He said over the years different president of the association fought for the repeal of the libel law but had been succeeded by the current president Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.

He advised jouralists to be careful about the sources of their stories because it can make or break their career.

He said before now, it was difficult to practise journalism without being jailed, but SLAJ has over the years helped to give journalists the freewill to do their job.

He said SLAJ is a well-respected and highly valued organization and urged new members not to do anything that will bring disrespect and destroy the legacy of SLAJ.

Ahmed Nasralla, current president of SLAJ, stares by welcoming the new members and informed them that the mission of SLAJ is to defend freedom of the media, freedom of expression and information, uphold the ethics of journalism and exemplary standards of professional practice.

He disclosed that SLAJ was founded in 1971 primarily to promote freedom of expression and of the press, to seek the welfare and protect of its membership, and to seek for training and capacity building opportunities for its membership.

He said SLAJ’s core values include freedom of expression and the media, responsibility, credibility, accountability, and transparency.