By Sulaiman Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) on Monday, September 9th, 2024, inducted new set of journalists as members of the association at its headquarters at Campbell Street, Freetown.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists congratulated the new recruits for going through the process, while thanking everyone who played a part in the process, underscoring the importance of journalism. He informed the new members that the association was established on the 5th, June 1971. “The Mission of SLAJ is to defend freedom of the media, freedom of expression, uphold the ethics of journalism, and exemplary standards of professional practices”, He asserted, adding the constitution of SLAJ is expected to be reviewed during the upcoming AGM which is expected to be held in Bo. The president informed the new recruits that there is IMC codes of practice and the Association’s code of ethics that every member should read and understand.
President Nasralla added that the association has a structure and internal democracy, noting the highest body is the advisory council which comprises the past presidents among other senior members, the national executive who are elected and other affiliates bodies which includes but not limited to Sport Writers’ Association, Women in the Media, Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery, among others, while reminding the new members to work with the questions they answered during the interview session.
He reminded that journalism’s duty is to serve the public and to hold leaders accountable in a respectable manner. Taking about safety and security of journalists, he said it is paramount to the executive of the association and that cases between journalist and the police have reduced, but as leaders of the association, they are concerned about how some politicians threaten journalists. “Always be fair, accurate and ethical” the journalists’ president encouraged.
Delivering the welcome address, SLAJ National Secretary General, Alhaji Manika Kamara said the induction was the final and most important sessions of the recruitment process and that to sign the commitment form is very crucial to joining the association.
Speaking briefly, the national vice president and chairman of the credentials committee of the association, Sahr James Bangah, announced that ‘‘after careful examinations all inductees presented before us have met the requirement and have been deemed fit to join the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists”, adding that induction ceremony would continue while encouraging new members to uphold the values of the institution and to lead by example and contribute to the association’s progress. “Let us be guided by the principles of respect, collaboration, shared purpose as we move forward together,” he encouraged the new members.
Mr. Kelvin Lewis, a former president of SLAJ, underscored that the struggle with politicians started long ago and that the new members should continue with the journey while encouraging them to be careful and to maintain trust.
Speaking to this medium after the induction ceremony, one of the inductees, Edrie John, a reporter of the Daily Scope Newspaper, expressed excitement to be a member of the umbrella body of journalists, something he said will empower him in the media landscape. “As a reporter, I think being part of this association is a roadmap for me to go to new height,” he noted.
Other speakers include former president of the association and BBC journalist Umaru Fofanah; and representative from the veteran journalists’ association, Mr. Unisa Sesay. They all encouraged the new members to uphold the guiding principles of media practice in the country.