The Wise Bird is a seasoned journalist with a wealth of experience in the field of journalism for decades and has greatest respect for the profession.

The wise bird will do everything humanly possible to always stand-by the code of ethics of the profession.

To show that the Association is growing and it is “very democratic” in doing things, the executive of the Association is creating a level playing field for all members and none members of the Association to thrive as long as the individual or individuals are practicing the art of journalism and the journalist can enjoy whatever support he/she wants when that journalist falls foul of the law.

Before this time, one can only talk about the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and no other body was associated to it.

But today the Association has so many fragmented Associations and Unions-that is a clear indication that, the Association called SLAJ is very democratic and it is growing by way of allowing other groups within the Association to be formed.

At the moment one can talk about six (6) bodies under SLAJ; they are: Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), Court Reporters’ Union (CRU), Press Gallery (PG), and Sierra Leone Women in Journalism (SALWIJ), Sports Writers’ Association Sierra Leone (SWASAL) and of late the Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association (SLBA).

All the above named bodies are under the direct supervision of the parent body SLAJ-and whether they are benefitting from certain sorts of subventions that is completely a different ball game.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is a body full of elites and they are respecters of the law particularly the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

Chapter III of the 1991 Constitution talks about the “Recognition and Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and freedom of the individual; freedom of association, and freedom of assembly.

SLAJ is very much magnanimous to have given a free hand to have and allow all the bodies under their supervision to operate freely.

This is made possible by their operation in line with the code of ethics laid down by the parent body.

Sometimes people perceive the Wise Bird to be inquisitive because the bird likes to ask questions for the purpose of clarity.

Now, on the SLE1,500 million (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Leones) or whatever given to SLAJ by the government as subvention how many journalists are benefiting from it? And how is the money distributed to the affiliate groups?

The bird is investigating this and will continue to investigate it.