The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Plan International and New York University held a two-day regional consultation for the Western Area on July 17th-18th, 2024.
The event, hosted at the New Brookfields Hotel Conference Hall on Jomo Kenyatta Road in Freetown, focused on discussions surrounding the National Civic Education Policy & Strategy, National Media and Information Policy, National Film Policy, and National Records and Archives Policy.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, called on media stakeholders to collaborate in the creation of a national media policy aimed at addressing media development issues in Sierra Leone. Emphasizing the need for sector transformation, Minister Bah committed to advancing press freedom and creating a free media space, aligning with President Bio’s vision and the mandate given to the ministry.
“We are committed to advancing press freedom, creating a free media space, and transforming the media sector in Sierra Leone in alignment with President Bio’s vision,” he said.
He highlighted that the policy initiative was developed by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and other media professionals. Minister Bah assured that the policy would be handed back to these groups after the consultation, urging journalists to ensure the policy’s longevity and to hold the ministry accountable.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of SLAJ, expressed delight at the progress in formulating a national policy on information and media.
He emphasized that the policy would consolidate media development gains in Sierra Leone, providing a framework for an inclusive and professional media ecosystem.
“A national policy on information and media will consolidate the many gains we have made in media development in Sierra Leone. It will provide a framework for an inclusive and professional media ecosystem” he said. He also noted the development of a National Coordination Committee for the safety and sustainability of journalists, underscoring that freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental rights.
Francis Sowa, Head of the MRCG and a policy consultant to the process, highlighted the extensive consultations undertaken nationwide and expressed confidence in presenting a comprehensive policy draft for stakeholder review.
Aminata Wurie, a representative from the UNDP, assured close collaboration between UNDP and MoICE. She expressed excitement about the partnership and anticipated future collaborative programs following the completion of current initiatives. “UNDP is very excited to have a partnership with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on a number of programs for 2024. When these programs are completed, they will be able to partner on more” she said.
Edward Kargbo, Country Director of the BBC Media Action Group, described the policy as a blueprint for media development in Sierra Leone. He congratulated Minister Bah and his team on their progress and expressed his organization’s enthusiasm for the ongoing policy work.
The collaborative efforts and extensive consultations underscore a collective dedication to creating policies that will stand the test of time and foster a more inclusive and professional media environment in Sierra Leone.
