What was meant to be a courtesy call to discuss collaboration between the leadership of the umbrella journalist body and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) last week ended been dominated by talks on security of journalists.
The meeting held at the headquarters of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ) in Freetown on Thursday 7th July, brought together the national executive of the association and members of the Media Wing of RSLAF, headed by its Director, Colonel Abu Bakarr Bah.
A media release from SLAJ said the meeting was meant to discuss emerging issues and ways of strengthening the relationship between the two institutions.
Col. Bah was reported saying that the military was aware of the importance of the media in nation-building and that both institutions performed similar roles in serving the public’s interest and being accountable to it, despite having responsibilities. He noted that their visit was intended to congratulate the newly-elected national and regional executives of SLAJ and to start engagement on how the two institutions could build on already existing “cordial relationship” toward nation-building and development.
The RSLAF Communication Chief also called on SLAJ to open its doors to RSLAF media team members who are with media and communication studies background, as well as to provide them with capacity-training to enable them perform their roles and responsibilities effectively.
The meeting was held on the same day a statement from the Defense Military was issued in response to an alleged assault on a journalist by some soldiers.
The journalist, Maada Jessie Jengo, who works for Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio FM in Waterloo, Western Area Rural, was reportedly attacked on 2nd July by the soldier following an altercation.
In the statement issued by Col. Bah’s office, the military said it had identified the soldiers named in the incident and mounted investigations in accordance with military procedures. It stressed its commitment to and respect for the rule of law.
At the meeting with the SLAJ leadership, Col. Bah reiterated that position and, according to the SLAJ release, “apologised on behalf of the RSLAF” for the incident.
Col. Bah also disclosed that the soldier accused of been behind the alleged attack had “shown remorse” and visited the journalist and his family, and the radio station management.
“Both parties are looking at ways of resolving the issue while the military continues with its investigation to ensure such altercation does not repeat as both the media and the military need each other for better performance of their respective responsibilities,” he said.
According to Col. Bah, RSLAF is currently trying to build on the confidence of the public with the goal of earning the public’s trust, in light of the 2023 general elections, whose success he said depended on the support and collaboration of the media and the security sector. To attain this, he went on, would require both parties to sensitize their respective constituents on how to treat and relate with one another and understand their respective roles and responsibilities while performing their various functions.
“People should know what and what not to do,” said Col. Bah.
SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, while expressing delight at hosting the RSLAF delegation, spoke about the need for regular meeting of this nature which he believes would help strengthen cordial relations, cooperation, and support between the two institutions.
“There is every need for us to work together, the army, the police, and the media, and support one another in the interest of our nation. I want to see a situation where the public will see us working together amicably with respect and a shared goal to ensure the safety and security of the electorate, including politicians generally, on the one hand, and free, fair, non-violent, transparent, and credible elections come 2023,” said Nasralla.
Despite recent gains in efforts to protect the Sierra Leonean journalists, SLAJ and other rights campaign groups say they still face threat from individual politicians and security forces, as illustrated by the attack on Mr Jengo, which Nasralla described as “unfortunate” in light of a Memorandum of Understanding SLAJ signed with the Security Sector last November.
Late April, Kambia-based journalist Jibril Gottor reported an attempt on his life. Although no one was specifically linked with that alleged failed attempt, the journalists list a string of officials he had had issues with, in his line of work, including security officers.
“The MoU with the security sector is a huge step towards strengthening media-security relations and promoting cooperation and coordination. It’s a big opportunity that is not common in most African countries, and even the world,” he stated, adding: “What we have not yet done, however, is to ensure every member of our institutions is aware of the content of the MoU, its objectives, and the relationship we are trying to forge to prevent conflict and promote both our images and the work that we do. I think that should be the next step we should take, and then organize continuous training sessions to build our capacities and address emerging issues.”
