MEDIA & SOCIETY Independent Media Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission to Investigate Libel or Financial Mismanagement Posted by Dylan Sogie-Thomas of London United Kingdom on Jun 12, 2008, 16:11

I was moved to write this article after reading about the $ 1 million dollars case against New Vision newspaper. Sierra Leone is a lucky country, we are blessed with natural resources yet we are so poor due to financial mismanagement or incompetence by government officials.

The most serious mismanagement in Sierra Leone has been caused by ineffective management and inadequate leadership. Ineffective management and inadequate leadership can happen through familiarity or government spending money unnecessarily on traveling, procurement and not fulfilling contracts.

In Sierra Leone ministers and other government officials wants media houses to cross-check their facts before publishing articles but most of the time these ministers are unavailable when serious issues arises. In order for our economy to develop we expect government officials to be held responsible for their behavior and to avoid journalist writing on speculations we expect the government to be transparent.

If President Ernest Koroma decides to declare his income, expenses and assets to the public, the public will have confidence in him. Our president is trying to maintain his integrity, reputation and fiduciary duty by taking New Vision newspaper to the IMC for them to prove that he has spent less than $ 1 million dollars on traveling expenses.

At the moment there is tension between the APC and the SLPP and IMC was set-up to promote and ensure that media institutions achieve the highest level of efficiency in the provision of media services. IMC is there to protect the interest of the public against exploitation or abuse by media houses. Good reputation of the public is considered to be value and an asset worth protecting.

My argument is base on ethics and mandate and I therefore believe that IMC should not arbitrate on this matter without professional advice from ACC. Anti-Corruption is responsible for the prevention and control of corruption in Sierra Leone. The case against New Vision has two sides 1-Libel 2-Financial Mismanagement. IMC can handle the libel side but the financial mismanagement side should be settled by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Anti-Corruption needs to check the evidence provided by Press Secretary to see that they meet the correct control procedures such as:

·        Examine the evidence provided to prove there is no issue of mismanagement of tax payer’s funds.

·        ACC should check to see that these government expenditures were authorized before the expenses occurred.

·        ACC should prove that the government officials have formal duty to perform. As Sierra Leoneans work so hard yet they are receiving salaries that are not enough to buy a bag of rice and cover their traveling expenses.

·        ACC should check that all expenses are supported with receipts. As every stores or business outlets outside Sierra Leone issues out receipts. Expenses without receipts should be treated as fraud.

·        ACC should check to see that expenses not documented were paid back into the country reserve.

·        Goods purchased having VAT attached should be reclaimed at the airport of departure. ACC should check that government officials are claiming such funds.

In order for justice to prevail and to prove that IMC is not a tool to silent journalist/freedom of speech; I advice that IMC should seek expert advice from ACC and wait until ACC confirms that APC government is free from financial mismanagement before they can make a decision. The present case is more than ordinary libel it is a case of national interest.

I am looking forward to receive any comment or feedback via email: sogiethomas@yahoo.com