PRESS RELEASE
SLAJ Pays Courtesy Call on the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission
Freetown, 27th August 2024: The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Nasralla, along with his executive members, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) at the Commission’s head office, 54 Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown, on 27th August 2024.
The SLAJ delegation was warmly welcomed by Chairman Joseph Egbende Kapuwa Esq. and the Executive Secretary, Mr. Khalil Kallon.
President Nasralla congratulated Chairman Kapuwa on his appointment to the Commission and acknowledged the six commissioners appointed by SLAJ, emphasizing that the association considers the IMC as their own. He addressed the recent decisions by the Commission to cancel and suspend the licenses and registrations of media institutions that have defaulted in the re-registration and renewal processes or failed to comply with IMC complaint rulings. Nasralla requested that the Commission delay the suspension and cancellation processes until the end of September 2024, to allow media service providers ample time to comply with the regulations as stipulated in the IMC Act 2020 and Media Regulations 2022. He assured that SLAJ would work diligently to ensure compliance.
Nasralla also highlighted the importance of ensuring that media institutions pay their staff in line with the minimum wage, stating that this is a key welfare issue for his presidency at SLAJ.
He concluded by discussing the need to review the IMC Act 2020, particularly the provision concerning the registration of journalists, which he believes requires further dialogue between both parties. He reflected on SLAJ’s successful collaboration with the IMC during the 2023 elections projects implementations and expressed hope for continued cooperation on important issues. He also cited a recent incident involving publications about the Fullah community and urged the Commission to work with SLAJ to resolve such issues amicably to prevent ethnic tensions.
In response, IMC Chairman Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa Esq. thanked President Nasralla and his executive members for their visit and their recognition of his role within the journalistic community. The Chairman expressed his commitment to involving SLAJ in the Commission’s decisions, especially regarding the suspension and cancellation of media service providers’ licenses. He noted that these decisions have been considered over the past three years and are now being implemented as a last resort. The Chairman emphasized that the process would be carried out systematically, with invoices and warning letters having been sent to defaulting media houses on multiple occasions, resulting in some cooperation.
Chairman Kapuwa acknowledged that many media institutions and proprietors do not adhere to the minimum wage regulations but stressed the need for collective efforts to address this issue. He also mentioned that the review of the IMC Act would consider provisions for regulating online media, which are deemed essential.
Regarding the registration of journalists, Kapuwa stated that it is a means of safeguarding the profession, ensuring that identified members receive protection of their rights and privileges. He called for more training for journalists, citing frequent breaches of media regulations.
In conclusion, Chairman Kapuwa commended the SLAJ delegation for their visit and noted that the Commission’s decision to publish the list of cancellations and suspensions would be held off until 31st August 2024, after which the implementation would begin in phases.
Khalil Kallon
Executive Secretary—IMC
