The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) held its 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) from September 26 to 28, 2024 in Bo, bringing together over 600 journalists under the theme: “Charting the Way Forward: A New Constitution for an Inclusive and Stronger SLAJ.”

The event served as a pivotal moment for the country’s media landscape, with the focus on the need for inclusivity, accountability and a robust constitution to shape the future of journalism.

SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, opened the AGM with a strong call for unity and reform within the Association. “Inclusion is not just a slogan; it is a fundamental pillar of progress,” Ahmed Sahid Nasralla emphasized, stressing that the future of SLAJ must be built on empowering voices from marginalized communities, women and rural journalists. He maintained that the new constitution reflects the Association’s commitment to inclusivity, transparency and diversity.

“We cannot claim to advocate for the truth if we do not empower all voices within our profession,” the SLAJ President stated, underlining the importance of giving equal opportunities to every journalist, regardless of their background. He expressed optimism that the constitution would provide the necessary framework for a stronger SLAJ that serves not only its members but the entire Sierra Leonean society.

The event chaired by Amir Musa Mewa Esq., the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat, reminded participants of the critical importance of truthfulness in journalism. Opening with a verse from the Holy Qur’an (Chapter 49, Verse 6), Amir Mewa urged journalists to verify news from credible sources to prevent unwarranted harm to individuals and communities. His message resonated deeply, highlighting the ethical obligations of journalists.

Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), followed with a powerful message on the need for collective action to address the challenges faced by the media. She commended SLAJ’s leadership for organizing the AGM, urging members to create a constitution that ensures inclusivity and upholds Press Freedom. Tuma Gento-Kamara highlighted the critical balance between free expression and responsible journalism, particularly as the media landscape evolves in the digital age.

In a keynote address, Supreme Court Justice, A.M. Bangurah further underscored the significance of the AGM’s theme, describing the drafting of a new constitution as a transformative step for SLAJ. “A well-crafted constitution is not merely a document regulating conduct; it is a blueprint for the future,” Justice Bagurah said. He stressed that the media plays a vital role in upholding democracy and SLAJ must adapt to the changing demands of modern journalism, particularly in the face of misinformation and economic challenges.

Justice A M Bangurah also emphasized the need for protections to ensure the safety of journalists and urged SLAJ to enshrine safeguards in the new constitution. “The media must remain committed to fair, balanced and truthful reporting,” he said, adding that journalists’ safety is critical to maintaining a free press in Sierra Leone.

Supreme Court, Justice Hon. A.M. Bangurah, emphasized the importance of the new constitution underscoring the need to guide the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) towards greater inclusivity, transparency and adaptability. Speaking at the SLAJ conference themed “Charting the Way Forward: A New Constitution for an Inclusive and Stronger SLAJ,” Justice AM Bagurah highlighted the evolving role of the media in Sierra Leone’s democracy and the pressing need for reforms within the Association.

He underscored that the new SLAJ constitution should reflect modern journalism’s challenges, including misinformation, technological changes and economic struggles. The Supreme Court Justice praised SLAJ’s efforts, such as the “I Verify App” launched during the 2023 elections to combat misinformation, but cautioned that journalistic standards must remain strong.

Addressing inclusivity, he urged SLAJ to empower female journalists, youth and professionals from diverse backgrounds across Sierra Leone further criticizing the current draft for lacking gender policies and called for the inclusion of affirmative action clauses, particularly for women and people with disabilities.

Justice Bagurah stressed that the new constitution must ensure accountability, ethical journalism and financial transparency while safeguarding press freedom. He concluded by reminding attendees that the constitution should be a living reflection of the values and aspirations of Sierra Leonean journalists.

The address set the stage for in-depth discussions on the future of journalism in the country, as SLAJ continues to play a key role in strengthening democracy.

Representatives from key institutions, including the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the National Communications Authority (NaTCA), echoed those sentiments. IMC Chairman Joseph E. Kapuwa urged media owners to ensure that journalists are fairly compensated in line with national wage standards, noting that economic viability is crucial to fostering ethical journalism.

Egbenda Kapuwa expressed the IMC’s unwavering commitment to protecting free speech while ensuring professional standards in the media. He emphasized the need for continuous journalist training, noting a rise in complaints due to lapses in ethical standards. The IMC Chairman further urged adherence to the IMC Act 2020, the Media Regulations 2022 and the SLAJ constitution as vital for maintaining high journalistic standards.

Reflecting on the AGM’s theme, he questioned whether a new SLAJ constitution could govern effectively when many members already struggle with national regulations. He also defended recent IMC actions, such as suspending or revoking licenses of non-compliant media outlets, as necessary steps for accountability.

Joseph Kapuwa further urged media Proprietors to pay journalists fair wages in line with minimum wage laws and to meet their tax obligations. He argued that fair compensation is critical to promoting ethical journalism.

In closing, Kapuwa reaffirmed the IMC’s commitment to collaborating with SLAJ to uphold media independence, calling on all members to unite for a stronger, more professional press.

The National Coordinator of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), Dr. Francis Sowa, praised SLAJ’s role as a founding and supportive member of the MRCG. Dr. Sowa commended SLAJ for its introspective theme this year: “Charting the Way Forward: New Constitution for an Inclusive and Stronger SLAJ,” which he described as unique for its focus on strengthening the Association itself.

Dr. Francis Sowa highlighted the theme’s alignment with Recommendation 2 of the National Action Plan, developed at the conclusion of the National Media Viability and Investment Conference. He emphasized the need for the media to review existing legal and regulatory frameworks and urged SLAJ to re-engineer the media industry to attract private-sector investment and public subsidies. Dr Sowa also called on SLAJ to secure its independence, largely through member fees and to take an active role in self-regulation and upholding professional standards.

Referencing a recent article critical of the media viability conference, Dr. Sowa acknowledged the writer’s frustrations but assured attendees that progress was being made. He announced that with the support of the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM), a Secretariat and a multi-stakeholder board had been established for the Media Viability Fund, with the framework and Technical Committee in place to process grant applications. He urged the Government to fulfil its commitment to the fund, stressing the importance of continued efforts in that area.

Concluding his address, Dr. Sowa called on SLAJ members to reflect deeply and adopt a new constitution that would ensure a more inclusive and stronger Association, reinforcing the need for the organization to heal and strengthen itself for the future.

In a goodwill statement delivered on behalf of Director General, Amara Brewah of the National Telecommunications Commission (NaTCA), Ben Foday represented the DG, who was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

Ben Foday conveyed warm greetings from DG Brewah, underscoring the strong partnership between NaTCA and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). He highlighted the crucial role of the media in nation-building, particularly in the age of technological and digital advancements.

“NaTCA is dedicated to creating a regulatory environment that fosters predictability, fair competition and consumer protection, as we collectively work to enhance connectivity solutions for both businesses and the Government,” Foday stated.

He provided a detailed overview of Sierra Leone’s mobile telecommunications sector, reporting an impressive coverage of 98.55% for 2G, 95.94% for 3G and 75.30% for 4G technology. In terms of market share, Africell leads with 64% of mobile voice services, while Orange dominates the mobile data sector with a 47% share.

Ben Foday acknowledged past challenges related to Quality of Service (QoS), which had impacted the Quality of Experience (QoE) for consumers. However, he assured attendees that NaTCA is actively working on improving internet connectivity, including establishing a framework for the ACE Consortium, which links 19 countries through a 17,000 km subsea cable.

He also discussed the planning of two new subsea cable projects—2Africa and the Amilcar Cabral Cable—and the potential of the Starlink NGSO constellation to further improve Sierra Leone’s connectivity.

As the SLAJ assembly focused on constitutional and strategic matters, he expressed his belief that the discussions would greatly benefit journalists and the country’s development. Ben Foday concluded by thanking participants for their attention and wishing them success in their deliberations.

In her address, Patricia Narsu Ndanema, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), emphasized the long-standing collaboration between HRCSL and SLAJ, highlighting the critical role of journalism in promoting civil and political rights. She praised SLAJ for its ongoing commitment to progress, as reflected in the AGM’s theme, “Charting the Way Forward: New Constitution for an Inclusive and Stronger SLAJ.”

She stressed that a new constitution should be more than a document, serving as a strategic roadmap for a more inclusive and empowered Association. Patricia Narsu Ndanema acknowledged the pivotal role journalists play in driving positive institutional changes, including some interventions by HRCSL.

She encouraged SLAJ members to foster collaboration, embrace open communication and consider diverse perspectives during the AGM to create a constitution that benefits all members.

Throughout the three-day event, discussions centered on the future of SLAJ, with journalists reaffirming their commitment to upholding the values of truth and accountability. The AGM marked a crucial step in drafting a new constitution that will strengthen the Association, ensure inclusivity and safeguard the integrity of journalism in Sierra Leone.

As SLAJ members deliberated on the constitution, the event reinforced the Association’s role as a defender of press freedom and a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s democracy. With a renewed focus on inclusivity, accountability and professionalism, SLAJ is poised to lead the way in shaping a stronger, more united media landscape.