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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Feb 2007 : 13:33:22
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"ABOLISH OBNOXIOUS MEDIA LAWS"
The Managing Director of the Point Newspaper, Pap Saine, has asked National Assembly Members to abrogate what he described as unpleasant media laws.
Mr. Saine made this statement at a meeting held at the National Assembly Complex on Friday. The meeting was triggered by an invitation sent to the media practitioners by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Fatoumata Jahumpha Ceesay. However, the Speaker was indisposed and was deputised by Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Majority Leader, at the National Assembly. Mr. Saine said: "Abolish the obnoxious laws against the media. It is only few countries in Africa that have these laws. Our hands are tied. Revisit the obnoxious laws against the independent press. They were enacted in December 2004. There is no need to enact obnoxious laws. The courts are here to adjudicate on matters. We have problems to access information. We are not invited to government functions. The government officials are not cooperative." Saine remarked.
In his expose, Jatta said the National Assembly members have recognised the significance of the media. Jatta said they are looking forward to a conducive working environment with the media. According to him, media practitioners will be given vital documents that will enable them to report accurately. He also stated that two media practitioners from each media house would be accredited to enable them to cover proceedings at the National Assembly. He said media practitioners covering National Assembly sittings are expected to observe a dress code. He said reporters covering National Assembly sittings are expected to dress neatly. Responding to the statement by Madi Ceesay (GPU President) that the press should be allocated a place at the Assembly, Jatta said they will make arrangements for that. On Madi Ceesay's statement that media houses should be accredited instead of media practitioners, Jatta said they would take that into consideration.
Other people who were present at the gathering are the Deputy Director of GRTS, Modou Joof, Emil Touray of Foroyaa, Suwaibou Conateh of News and Report, Dodou Kebbeh, the clerk of the National Assembly and the minority leader, Modou Sanneh.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 023/2007, 26-27 February 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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