IMC Popularizes Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022
The Independent Media Commission (IMC), with funds from the Irish Aid through the project: “Expanding the Democratic Space in Sierra Leone – Media Capacity Enhancement to Promote Peaceful Elections, Women’s Participation, Public Interest and Conflict Mitigation,” on Thursday 15th June 2023, commenced the popularization of the IMC (Elections Coverage and Reporting) Regulations 2022 and the IMC (Print and Electronic Media) Regulations 2022 in the western part of Freetown, at a workshop held at the Congress Hall, krootown Road.
The workshop attracted participants from the media, civil society Organization’s and some important personalities. The project was funded by the Government of Ireland through a consortium comprising of The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Independent Radio Network (IRN) and Inter-Religious Council, and is part of the Irish Embassy’s commitment towards the conduct of a free, fair, credible, inclusive and peaceful Elections in Sierra Leone on June 24th 2023.
IMC commissioner, Dr. Victor Massaquoi, speaking at the meeting, said that most of the media Houses have been working with the IMC, with almost 99% of the media houses complying with the IMC and with the two primary regulations and also the print and electronic regulations, adding that working in relation with the ECSL expectations is a good one, furthering that the media is doing a great job by passing the correct information in their various forum, stressing that journalists are ordinary people doing the extraordinary work.
The IMC also made a presentation on both regulations, educating participant about what is contained in the new regulations, particularly emphasizing on the timing for this engagement and how journalists should be professional in their Job, checking the facts before publishing, as it is our responsibility to provide accurate balance and credible information.
