By Ragan M. Conteh

 President Julius Maada Bio has assured media practitioners of their full security while performing their professional obligations.

His statement is a reiteration on respecting the repeal of the seditious libel laws, which gave way to the

enactment of the new Independent Media Commission Act and Cyber security laws.

Bio’s government remains committed to supporting a free press in which “no journalist is harmed or jailed for practicing their journalism profession.”

He made the submissions on Tuesday 6th August 2024 during the State Opening in the Chambers of Parliament.

The president maintained that their civic education and engagement strategy will build trust and counter the fake news that would promote proactive, accurate, and timely information.

He went on to say that the weekly press conferences are a  simulcast on major national media platforms, supported by their new Civic Education Agenda and Communications Strategy, which provides a synchronised messaging on the Government’s BIG FIVE agenda, climate change and environmental justice, public health, and digital literacy.

In terms of foreign policy, President Julius Maada Bio, said just as it is vital to care for domestic affairs and ensure that Sierra Leone works for Sierra Leoneans.

He stressed that they must also consider their country’s relationship with the rest of the world.

He said the fate of a nation is often greatly influenced by the quality of their foreign policies, which can either promote thriving economies or exacerbate the suffering.

He calls for the respect of multilateralism, and therefore, he says, it plays a crucial role in a country’s growth and development, thus fostering collaboration and shared prosperity.

He said Sierra Leone would continue to progressively shape and advance its foreign policy in line with global realities and regional developments while promoting her national interest.