Minister of Information for the Republic of the Gambia, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay has paid a courtesy visit to the National Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) at their headquarters on 56 Campbell Street, Freetown.
The visit aimed to provide Dr. Ceesay and his team with a comprehensive understanding of SLAJ’s operations and its relationship with the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.
Dr. Ceesay expressed particular interest in learning about the annual government subvention provided to SLAJ by the Sierra Leonean Government, including its utilisation and whether it is distributed among media institutions while maintaining the Association’s independence.
Alhaji Manika Kamara, SLAJ Secretary General, clarified that the Government subvention supports SLAJ’s nationwide operations as the umbrella organisation for Sierra Leone’s media. He explained that the funds are allocated to various affiliate bodies and sub-bodies to carry out their activities, ensuring accountability and reporting.
“The annual subvention from the Government of Sierra Leone is not meant for distribution to individual media houses. It supports our operations here at our headquarters and in the provinces. The media operates independently from the Association and we have no say in their editorial policies or what they publish or broadcast. And so it doesn’t affect our independence as an Association,” Alhaji Manika Kamara stated.
SLAJ Secretary General also highlighted the achievements and challenges following the repeal of the criminal libel law and outlined SLAJ’s plans for media development.
He noted the strong, professional relationship between SLAJ and MoICE, which has led to successful collaborations on initiatives such as the repeal of the criminal libel law, organising media viability and investment conferences and establishing a national fund for public interest media.
Mohamed Konneh, SLAJ Financial Secretary, emphasized the close cooperation between SLAJ and the IMC to ensure responsible, ethical and professional journalism. He mentioned that SLAJ is represented at the IMC and nominates most of the Commission’s other Commissioners.
Acting SLAJ President Sahr James Bangah reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to maintaining its independence and credibility. He stressed that SLAJ’s mission is to protect, defend and promote free speech and press freedom, while also providing training and capacity-building opportunities for its members.
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, an alumnus of the Albert Academy (UMC) in Freetown, attended the meeting in his school tie. He was accompanied by Saidy Yankuba, Permanent Secretary of the Gambian Ministry of Information and two other staff members, including Madam Juliana Vandy. The delegation was led to the SLAJ Secretariat by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of MoICE.
