Mercury International Managing Director, Martin E Michael has expressed concerns over the absence of Mercury International in the two days Media investment conference.

Martin Michael posted on his Twitter Page “You hold the 1st Media Investment conference in Sierra and you neglect to invite the largest investor in and sponsors of the media in Sierra Leone. Only in Sierra Leone would that happen “

It is no secret that Mercury International is one of the biggest sponsors of Print and Broadcast Media houses. Mercury advertisement support to various  Sierra Leone media houses has helped to cushion media poverty within the industry.

He further Pointed out on his Twitter page that “I blame the Ministry of information and the President of SLAJ. No one else.”

Some media owners and journalists are upset with the Organisers of the conference leaving out Mercury International.

However,  it is not clear whether the neglect is intentional as the president of SLAJ apologized to him. Meanwhile, one of the Chairman’s followers on Twitter Kenewa Gamanga replies to him that “To err is human”... Being outspoken is spot on. Highlighting the weakness of the media and its partners sounds instructive and not patronizing. It’s virtuous to recognize and accept that Mercury is a stakeholder in strengthening Sierra Leone’s media capacity. Build on strength and not the blame”

The conference is a fulfillment of a campaign promise of President Bio who says he desires to see an independent media which can keep the government “honest and accountable.”

Under his leadership, the Mercury International Company has been transformed positively in Sierra Leone with a lot of changes and Innovations.