By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Aziz Bawoh, has called on journalists, bloggers and civil society actors to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy and ethical reporting in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He made the appeal during an engagement with media practitioners and civil society representatives on Friday at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) regional office in Kenema. The meeting formed part of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s regional outreach programme aimed at strengthening public engagement and promoting access to credible information.
Addressing participants, Mr. Bawoh underscored the critical role of the media in promoting democracy, accountability and national development, stressing that information disseminated to the public must be accurate, balanced and verified.
He urged journalists and bloggers to avoid publishing unverified reports, noting that misinformation and disinformation have the potential to undermine public trust, fuel unnecessary tensions and threaten national cohesion.
“The credibility of the media depends on its commitment to truth and professionalism,” he said, encouraging practitioners to ensure facts are thoroughly verified before publication.
The Deputy Minister also briefed participants on a number of key national developments, including the recently concluded ECOWAS mid-year meetings. He used the opportunity to clarify issues that have generated public discussion and misconceptions, reaffirming government’s commitment to transparency in communicating national affairs.
Speaking on the return of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, Mr. Bawoh appealed for calm and responsible public discourse. He emphasised the importance of preserving peace, fostering national unity and respecting the rule of law, noting that all national issues should be addressed within the country’s legal and constitutional framework.
As part of efforts to improve the country’s information ecosystem, Mr. Bawoh disclosed that the Ministry is collaborating with the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to strengthen the regulation of digital media practitioners. He explained that the initiative is intended to promote responsible online journalism while safeguarding media freedom and encouraging ethical standards across digital platforms.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining regular engagement with journalists, bloggers and civil society organisations across the country, saying such interactions are essential for improving public access to reliable information and enhancing civic education.
“Our engagement with stakeholders will continue because an informed citizenry is fundamental to national development and democratic governance,” he stated.
Participants welcomed the outreach initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial.
SLAJ Regional Chairman, Philip Koroma, commended the Ministry for directly engaging media practitioners at the regional level, saying the discussions provided an opportunity for journalists to seek clarification on important national issues while strengthening collaboration between the government and the media.
Civil society representative Augustine Sannoh also praised the initiative, describing it as a positive step towards promoting transparency, strengthening public awareness and fostering constructive dialogue between state institutions and citizens.
The engagement forms part of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s ongoing nationwide outreach programme designed to promote civic participation, improve information sharing and encourage responsible journalism across Sierra Leone
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 20th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
