The Vice President of Sierra Leon, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has encouraged journalists to present progressive narrative in reporting issues of national interests.
He was speaking on Friday March 29, 2024 at the Radisson Blu hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown during an Iftar organised by Muslims of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
The vice president said the theme of the Iftar: ‘Promoting Peace and National Cohesion’ resonates with the focus of disciplined leadership and am urge to enhance sustainable societal development.
He said for Sierra Leone to make the much-needed progress, peace and cohesion should not be treated with levity, while calling on journalists to uphold acceptable journalistic norms in reporting matters of societal happenings.
He said attaining absolute uniformity in societies could pose serious challenges as a result of divergent views and aspirations, but urged that such should not disrupt progress.
Sheikh Umar Farouk Adam Bah said Islam had always prioritised peace and cohesion. He said that people should inculcate living as one even where shared differences exist, adding that the SLAJ Iftar Committee had been embarking on a laudable venture which he said has the proclivity to continue to propagate and promote Islamic doctrines.
He noted that such platforms should be promoted in the interest of all and sundry, while disclosing that a society that lives in harmony thrives in peace, adding that Islam strongly encourages the upholding of such valuable traits.
President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said it was important for peace and cohesion to thrive in any society, noting that newsmen have a strong role to play in that regard. He said that where there’s no peace, development will hardly take place and that all societies should work towards doing things in the best interest of all and sundry.
Former President of SLAJ, Umaru Fofana who spoke on behalf of the media said that the role of the media cannot be overstated, while using the opportunity to encourage journalists to embark on fact finding missions whiles making sure that reports are accurate, balanced and clearer enough.
John Caulker of Fambul Tok International said engagements should be decentralized to make sure that the views of the minorities are equally captured. He encouraged that the governance of the state has to be people centered and asked that simplistic and realistic conversations are needed in making sure that things work out accordingly.
Director General of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, Josephine Kamara said the media has a very crucial role in society, stating that strategic engagements and constructive dialogues should be encouraged in society. She said that newsmen should equally present facts and not fictions, adding that such will promote peace, development and cohesion.
