The Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) views with regret the deplorable environment under which reporters are working in the country. It is disheartening to note that some media institutions, both print and electronics, are paying their reporters less than the minimum wage

The case between the Office of the President and the New Vision newspaper about the latter’s publication of a front-page story stating that President Ernest Bai Koroma had spent over one million dollars flying to African countries  came up again today at the offices of the Independent Media Commission in Freetown.Presidential Press Secretary Sheka Tarawalie and the Managing Editor of the New Vision A.B.S. Massaquoi represented

The aftermath of the war left one single hero

Major Bangura...gave his life for Sierra Leone

:leftof  of the Republic of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) in a state of shamble, neglect and disillusionment. He sacrificed his life to save this country from the West Side Boys; but was later dumped, abandoned and betrayed by his counterparts, friends, brothers and sisters.  Today, the living hero; Major Musa Bangura is almost dying slowly from lack of medical treatment, good food to eat and accommodation. As a result of the deplorable and deteriorating conditions facing Major Musa Bangura, Standard Times in collaboration with FM 98.1Democracy Radio is kindly requesting the General Public to save the life of this patriotic son of the soil by making voluntary donations to the

Rebels of the Revolutionary United Front....their reign of terror Sierra Leoneans will never forget

Sunday 25^th May 2008 marks the 11^th anniversary of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) Coup d’etat in Sierra Leone. The coup saw the illegitimate overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, after a year in office. It also saw for the first time in the history of the country

Members of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) note with delight the confirmation/approval by Parliament of four of their colleagues to serve as Commissioners of the Independent Media Commission (IMC). On behalf of its members, the Executive extends hearty congratulations to the new commissioners who include: Commissioners Christo Johnson, Isaac Massaquoi, Augustine Garmoh, Joshua Nicole and Mrs. Bernadette Cole who was re-appointed Chairperson of the Commission.

Insinuations and reports from certain press quarters that President Ernest Bai Koroma has spent a whooping one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1.02 million) on foreign trips to African countries alone are not only false but calculated to undermine the efforts of the President to turn Sierra Leone around.

Today marks another WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY – 3rd May 2008. On this day, journalists the world over sit and reflect on their status and the environment under which they practice their profession.As they reflect on this day, the questions that would dominate their minds would be thus: How free is the press? Is the working environment media-friendly or is it suppressive? Are there constitutional or legal limitations in the practice of the profession? Is the press being censored? Or are there self-regulatory mechanisms to enhance freedom of the press?

THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN FREETOWN WILL BE CLOSED ON THE 5TH MAY, 2008 IN CELEBRATION OF A BRITISH PUBLIC HOLIDAY. THE VISA SECTION WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS OR ENQUIRIES.  THE HIGH COMMISSION REOPENS ON TUESDAY, 6TH MAY 2008.

SALNAM Development Commiitte Chairman Muckson Sesay(middle)SALNAM Adviser James Koroma (left) and member Mabs Kamara with some of the Dell Computers

During the presentation of the Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba (SALNAM) tuition scholarship project last year in April 26th 2007, I promised the general public that SALNAM tuition project in Sierra Leone is not limited to providing scholarship to students alone, but will continue to provide school supplies (Computers, printers, network gears and reading materials) for school across Sierra Leone.

Society for Democratic Initiatives, Sierra Leone (SDI-SL) states its total opposition to the recent criminal action taken against Mr Jonathan Leigh, Editor of the Independent Observer, by Transport and Aviation Minister, Kemoh Sesay. Mr Leigh was arrested following an article stating that the Minister had built two large mansions in the immediate period after being elected into office.