By Idrissa Bangura
The Independent Media Commission, IMC has conducted training program for media practitioners across the country.
This event took place on Thursday 14 September, 2023 at Freetown City Council Hall.
During the event the IMC Chairman Dr. Victor Massaquoi said their tour on several radio stations across the country was not pleasing. He said management of radio stations is appalling.
The media regulator chair observed that several radio stations across the country are not adhering to the principle of rule of separation of powers.
And that the managers of most radio stations are serving also as finance officers and heads of programming, adding that they exercise almost all the powers given to radio stations by IMC.
Chair Massaquoi told fellow media persons that such appalling conditions had urged them to conduct special trainings for radio station managers and newspaper editors.
He continued that IMC is not only there to regulate the media but to educate media practioners and owners as well.
He believes workers of IMC are ever ready to capacitate, and to share out relevant knowledge and skills of learning with media proprietors and employees.
Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ)’s representative deliberated on how the digital media space should be utilized by journalists.
He said professional training on the correct and responsible use of today’s digital media can help foster information flow between the government and the people.
He said journalists must be professional to be able to communicate adequately as they give out information using the internet and technology.
He said even though the media plays a crucial role in society, there must be regulate of its activities.
He stressed on the importance of media practice as its helps to improve journalists with communication skills and in ethical areas.
He used the opportunity to thank the IMC and the Chinese Ambassador and dignitaries for supporting the programme.
Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Yusuf Keketoma Sandy, also acknowledged IMC Chairman, Chinese Ambassador and media practitioners who have undergone a media management skills training.
He delivered greetings of Minister Bah whom he said was not in the country but went along with the President of Sierra Leone supposedly at UNGA summit.
His speech focused on four key areas: governance, management, digitalization and ethics.
He talked about the role and the importance of an independent media operating in a society.
He said during his time media has undergone a lot of transformation and added that this generation has an edge on this modern era of technology revolution.
He said most parents know how our children misuse the media, and said digital media is helping media practitioners to exhibit their practice and therefore implored journalists to go by the media ethics through the production of media content.
He said a platform of free speech has seriously come under attack by some vulgar persons who are misusing the social platforms.