Plein Tok
Sierra Leone Journalists Need Help For Professional Growth and Development
By Joe Sawan
Jun 18, 2008, 21:06

Journalism, the Fourth Estate of the realm is a noble and acknowledged profession the world all over.  Journalists have, among their arsenal of strategies the potential to either promote or derail the development plans of a country through their analysis of issues, programmes and socio-political leadership.

Sierra Leonean journalists have always been the pace setters for their colleagues on the West African Coast.  Sierra Leonean journalists were recruited to serve on the newspapers in Accra, Lagos, Kumasi and Bathurst now Banjul.  They all excelled.

I.T.A. Wallace-Johnson, Ibrahim Taqui, Shariff Easmon, Mocke Yamson, Sam Metzger, Siaka Massaquoi and K. Roy Stevens were Sierra Leonean journalists who contributed greatly not only to the development of journalism in Sierra Leone and West Africa but to the promotion of peace, security, safety, vitality, growth and the positive image of the country.

Over the years, Sierra Leonean journalists have been blamed for almost everything ranging from their perceived perpetual inclination to negatively present Sierra Leone internationally to character assassination and inciting the citizens in such a way as to cause disaffection.  It is perceived that many problems have been created through their writings.

For example, the start and prolongation of the almost eleven year rebel war, the dispute over Yenga, the late Sam Hinga Norman’s issue and the character assassination of high profile politicians, community leaders/activists and successful business people have been laid at the doorsteps of some journalists.

It is equally important to indicate that there are many reputable, credible, ethical, objective and highly professional journalists in Sierra Leone.  The statement, “one bad apple spoils the bunch” appears to be the blanket characterization nemesis of journalists.

R. Olu Gordon, Paul Kamara, Philip Neville, I.B. Kargbo (now Information and Communications Minister) Ibrahim Karim-Sei and Jonathan Leigh have all either been detained or jailed for writing what they perceived to be articles that constructively criticized government policies and individuals.  This is just an example of the growing pains in a democratic society.

Incidentally, this piece is not about the professional leaders (Managing Editors, Executive Editors, Editors, Analysts) etc. Rather, it is about some of the young, dynamic, motivated, creative, innovative, objective and highly ethical reporters who labour tirelessly in the vineyard of journalism.  They work extremely long hours for very small remuneration.  They are, however, dedicated and deeply committed to their profession. It is this group of journalists that will help to awaken and spearhead the promotion of Sierra Leone.  Readers will re-call that Sierra Leone, had had a virtual monopoly on the very last position of the United Nations Human Development Index.  Sierra Leoneans are extremely uncomfortable with their placement.

ALHAJI JALLOH (press attaché designate), EDWARD MARAH (Standard Times) SHEIK BAWOH (New Vision), RACHAEL HORNER (Concord Times), MOHAMED SANKOH (Awoko), ZAINAB KANU (News) and ABDUL KARIM KOROMA (Concord Times) are enterprising young journalists that should be sponsored by either the UNDP, Embassy of the United States of America, United Kingdom High Commission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Embassy of France for at-least a one-month training program in journalism, socio-political awareness and patriotic reporting.

Sierra Leoneans are greatly appreciative of the training offered by experts from various European countries but the experience gained by exposing these young journalists to the developed world will help to transform them into “embedded journalists”, something that is greatly needed in Sierra Leone.

Finally, Sierra Leoneans journalists are anxious to play a positive role in shaping the future of their country.  All they need is the help from the various embassies in an effort to facilitate their continued growth and professional development.