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INDEPEN
DENTM
EDIACO
MMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT 2005
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IMC ANNUAL REPRT 2005
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword 1
Executive Summary 3
1. Background Information 4
2. Composition of the Commission 5
3. Committees of the Commission and their activities 7
4. Other major activities of the Commission 9
5. General 11
6. Financial Report 13
7. IMC Three-Year Strategic Plan (2006 2008) 15
8. Constraints 16
9. Conclusion and signature 16
10. Appendices:
-I. 2005 Financial Statements 17
-II. Newspapers that registered with the IMC in 2005 21
-III. Radio and Television Stations that registered with the IMC in 2005 21
-IV. DTH/DSTV agencies that registered with the IMC in 2005 22
-IVA. Complete list of DTH/DSTV agencies in Sierra Leone 22
-V. Complete list of registered newspapers in Sierra Leone 23
-VI. Complete list of registered radio and television stations in S/Leone 24
-VII. Complaints received from the public in 2005 25
Page i
CONTENTS
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Sierra Leones strategies to promote good governance in-
clude the establishment of institutions that will sustain and
respond to the core democratic principles and values. One
such institution is the Independent Media Commission. Set
up in 2000 by an Act of Parliament, the Commissions first
few years of existence witnessed a host of problems. These
included the location of the Commissions office within the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which led people
to perceive the IMC as another arm of the Ministry, unclarity
of the status and role of the Chairman due to the wording of
this section of the IMC Act and several lapses in the manage-
ment of the Commissions funds. The latter led to allegations
of forgery and financial malpractices, which have been thesubject of a court case against the former Executive Secre-
tary since September 2004.
The non-existence of a Media Code of Practice, which ac-
cording to the Act, had to be contravened by a media institu-
tion for it to be brought to book has been a very thorny issue.
The Act is also silent on several pertinent issues relating to
arbitration and imposition of penalties in respect of com-
plaints by the public.
During the past year, the Commission took steps to address
these matters. With the assistance of DFID which provided
the initial funds for the renting of neutral premises, the IMC
had moved out of the offices of the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting since 2002. In 2005, the Commission paid
the rent from its funds, thus raising its posture as an inde-
pendent and autonomous body.
The status of the Chairman has also been given due atten-
tion. The proposed amendment of this Section of the Act is
expected to put an end to conflicts between the Chairman and
the Executive Secretary which plagued the smooth running
of the Commission in its formative years.
Mechanisms have been put in place for robust financial
management to enhance accountability and probity.
Rules and regulations governing the conduct of the media
and the Media Code of Practice have been developed and are
now awaiting the attention of Parliament. These instruments
are expected to serve as useful guide to media institutions forself regulation and strengthen the authority of the IMC to
carry out its functions more effectively and efficiently.
Two of the Commissions several mandates are to protect
the freedom of the media, while at the same time protect
the interests of the public against exploitation and undueabuse by the media. This in effect means that while the
public looks to the IMC for protection, the media institu-
tions also expect the IMC to jealously guard press freedom
with all its ramifications.
The Commission believes that the public should under-
stand the role of the media as the fourth estate, to minimise
conflict between the two parties, while the journalists
themselves should endeavour to practice the profession
with maturity, good naturedness, sobriety and a keen sense
of responsibility. It is the duty of the media to monitor the
activities and performances of the government and report
on these to the public. The media is also expected to bring
to the public information on other institutions of public
trust, mobilise, assess and represent public opinion, so that
the views and aspirations of the people will be reflected in
the nations development efforts. Also, the media must not
only concern itself with exposing the ills of society, but
must also portray positive developments to create that bal-
ance that should attract entrepreneurs and investors.
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FOREWORD
The Chairperson of the IMC, Mrs. Bernadette Cole
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All of this should however be done with impeccable accu-
racy and objectivity and a conscious effort to present all sides
of the issue.
It thus behoves people in positions of authority to ensure
that they carry out their activities and responsibilities with
openness, honesty and dexterity, in the realisation that they
are accountable to the people. The promotion of public ac-
countability is indeed the cornerstone of the future develop-
ment of Sierra Leone.
The Commission is pleased to launch its maiden report,
which brings to stakeholders and other interested parties in-
formation on the activities of the IMC in 2005 and its finan-
cial report. A copy has been forwarded to the Auditor- Gen-
eral for auditing. This endeavour is an important first step in
giving an annual account of the Commissions stewardship
from now on.
Bernadette Cole
CHAIRPERSON, IMC
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The Independent Media Commission (IMC) was established
by an Act of Parliament in 2000 as an autonomous body for
the regulation of mass media institutions and for other mat-
ters connected therewith.
The Commissions major functions, among others, are to
promote a free and pluralistic media throughout Sierra
Leone; to ensure that media institutions achieve the highest
level of efficiency in the provision of radio services, protect
the interest of the public against exploitation or abuse by
media institutions, and above all advise government on me-
dia Policy formulation and development.
The Commission started operation in 2001 with the full
compliment of eleven (11) Commissioners and the Executive
Secretary. The British Governments Department for Inter-
national Development (DFID) provided the initial funds to
cover the rent for two years when the Commission relocated
from the Ministry of Information at Youyi Building in 2002
to its current premises at 54, Siaka Stevens Street in order to
maintain its independence as provided in the IMC Act 2000.
At the end of the tenure of the former Chairman of the Com-
mission Mr. Francis Conteh in February 2005, Commis-
sioner Bernadette Cole was appointed Chairperson by H.E.
President Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah in consultation
with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) .
The Commission currently consists of nine (9) Commission-
ers with two vacant positions and nine (9) secretariat person-
nel.
The work of the Commission is done by Committees, viz:-
Complaints Committee, Technical Committee, Policy Com-
mittee and Applications Committee. Ad hoc committees are
established from time to time to carry out specific pro-
grammes. The decisions of all committees are sent to the
Board for approval, after which they are implemented by the
secretariat.
The major activities undertaken by the Commission in 2005
included:
the establishment of a media award scheme to promote
professional journalism in report writing the development of a Resource Centre for journalists
nationwide consultation workshops on the call for the
repeal of the defamation and seditious libel laws em-
bodied in the 1965 Public Order Act
The holding of Press Conferences and issuing of press
releases to update the public on the activities of the
IMC.
Major funding for the Commission comes from the Gov-
ernment. The Commission also receives funding from fees,
fines, donations and donor support for specific projects and
programmes.
Like any institution, the Commission has its peculiar con-straints. These are mainly in the areas of finance, office
equipment and logistics support.
The IMC witnessed substantial progress in 2005. The arbi-
tration role robustly carried out by the Commission helped
to diffuse tension between journalists and the public.
It is believed that the nation is now aware of the role of the
IMC and has started to channel complaints to the Commis-
sion for arbitration. All that the Commission now requiresis empowerment by the Government and other stakeholders
to carry out its functions more effectively.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Establishment of the Independent Media Com-
mission
The Independent Media Commission was established by an
Act of Parliament in 2000 as an autonomous body for the
regulation of mass media institutions and for other matters
connected therewith.
1.2 Functions of the CommissionPart III Section 8 (1) of the IMC Act 2000 states that the ob-
jects for which the Commission was established are:
a. to promote a free and pluralistic media throughout
Sierra Leone;
b. to ensure that media institutions achieve the highest
level of efficiency in the provision of media ser-
vices;
c. to promote fair competition among media institu-
tions and persons engaged in the provision of media
services;
d. to protect the interest of the public against exploita-
tion or abuse by media institutions; and
e. to promote technological research and the develop-
ment of adequate human resources for the advance-
ment of the media industry throughout Sierra
Leone.
Without prejudice to Section 8(1) above, the Act states
also that it shall be the function of the Commission to:-
a. advise the Minister on Media Policy formulation
and development;
b. ensure strict compliance with this Act and regula-
tions made under it;
c. establish categories of Licences and grant such
licences to electronic media institutions in Sierra
Leone;
d. prescribe minimum percentage of total broadcasthours to be devoted to public service programmes
by various types and categories of electronic me-
dia institutions;
e. maintain a register of media institutions, newspa-
pers and magazines published in Sierra Leone;
f. establish clear limits on media ownership, includ-
ing cross media ownership in the interest of
diversity;
g ensure that every person shall have, irrespective
of that persons race, colour, sex, language, relig
ion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or
social origins, property, disability, birth or other
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INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT 2005
Some members of the Board L-R Commissioners Mr. Christo Johnson. Dr. Abubakar Kargbo, Mr. Adewole Bell, Mrs Cassandra
Davies, Ms Patricia Macauley and Mr. Sam Metzger. Mr Francis Davies in the background.
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status, access to fair coverage in the broadcast me
dia all such things as may contribute to the attain
ment of the objects of the Commission.
h. compile and adopt a comprehensive Media Code
of Practice, in consultation with the Sierra
Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and any
other media practitioners association.
1.3 Location and commencement of operations of
the Commission
The Independent Media Commission went into operation in
2001 and was originally housed in the Ministry of Informa-
tion and Broadcasting, 8th Floor Youyi Building, Brook-
fields with full complement of eleven (11) Commissioners
and one (1) Executive Secretary.
In order to maintain its independence as provided in the Act,
the Commission relocated to its present address at 54, Siaka
Stevens Street in 2003 so that it cannot be viewed or per-
ceived to be a department within the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting. The British Governments Department for
International Development (DFID) provided the initial funds
to cover the rent for the first two years for the current prem-
ises. In 2005, the Commission paid the renewal rent from itsfunds.
2.0 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION
2.1 Commissioners
Commissioner Bernadette Cole - Chairperson
Commissioner Francis L. Davies )- Experts in the field of
telecommunications
Commissioner Cassandra Davies )
Commissioner Patricia Macauley )- Experts in the field of
Radio/Television
Commissioner ) - Vacant
Commissioner Sam J. E. Metzger )- Expert in the field of
Print journalism
Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Kargbo)
Commissioner Anthony Brewah )- Legal Practitioner
Commissioner )- Vacant
Commissioner Christo Johnson ) - Ex-officio member,
representing SLAJ
Commissioner P. Ade Bell ) - Ex-officio member,representing the Minister of Information and Broadcasting
A new Chairman in the person of Mrs. Bernadette Cole
was appointed by the President on the 15th February 2005
in consultation with the Sierra Leone Association of Jour
nalists (SLAJ) to replace the erstwhile Chairman, Mr.
Francis Conteh whose tenure was to have ended on the 29th
of February 2005. According to the letter of appointment,
the new Chairperson was to assume office on the 1st of
April, 2005 to effect a smooth handing-over of the reins of
leadership of the Commission. Unfortunately, Mr. Francis
Conteh fell ill at the beginning of February and died on the
26th of that month.
By its current composition, two new Commissioners are to
be appointed a legal practitioner and an expert in the field
of radio and television - to constitute the full membership
of the Board as provided by the Act.
Secretariat Staff
Mr. Francis Ganda - Executive Secretary
Mrs. Iyamide Oduyoye - Chief Accountant
Mr. Arnold Lake - Accounting Assistant
Ms. Emma Kai - Office Secretary
Ms. Regina Taylor - Office Assistant
Mr. Doe Dixon - Driver (Terminated in
July, 2005)Mr. Bockarie Ngevao - Messenger
Mr. Bockarie Konneh - Cleaner
Following the interdiction and dismissal of the former Ex-
ecutive Secretary in 2004 on allegations of forgery and mis
appropriation of funds, which matter has been before the
courts since September 2004, a new Executive Secretary
was appointed in November 2005. He is Mr. Francis D.
D. Ganda.
Until this appointment, the Chairperson, whose role is to
give direction and leadership to the Commission, super-
vised the work of the Secretariat as well as the overall
functions of the Commission.
In June, 2005, the Commission appointed a competent and
qualified Accountant, who has been able to set good ac
counting practice in place. With the appointment of an
Executive Secretary almost at the close of the year under
review and a Chief Accountant, the Commission seems
to be on a steady administrative keel.
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Page 6
The Office Secretary, Ms Emma Kai and Reception-
ist/Office Assistant Ms Regina Taylor at work
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANOGRAM
CHAIRPERSON
COMMISSIONERS
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT
ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT
OFFICE SECRETARY
DRIVER
OFFICE ASSISTANT
MESSENGERCLEANER
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3. 0 COMMITTEES OF THE COMMIS-SION AND THEIR ACTIVITIES
3.1 Board of the CommissionThe Board of the Independent Media Commission ensures
that the mandate and functions of the Commission as stipu-
lated in the Act are reflected in the activities of the Commis-
sion. In 2005, the Commission held sixteen (16) regular
Board Meetings. The following major issues were deliber-
ated upon:
Arbitration between the general public and
media institutions
Registration of media institutions Monitoring and evaluation of media institutions
Development of Rules and Regula-
tions governing the operations of me-
dia institutions in Sierra Leone/Media
Code of Practice
Amendment of the IMC Act 2000 to
make it more relevant to the current
situation of the media and anoma-
lies/issues that were unforeseen by the
drafters of the Act. Nation-wide Sensitization and Consul-
tative programmes with the public on
the issue of the call by SLAJ to repeal
the defamation and seditious libel laws
Administrative and financial matters
In general, the functions of the Commission are
carried out by Committees, whose recommendations
are forwarded to the Board for deliberation and ratification.
The Secretariat implements the decisions of the Board.
The Committees of the Commission are currently as fol-
lows:
3.2 Policy Committee
This Committee comprises the following members:
-Commissioner Bernadette Cole - Chairperson
-Commissioner Patricia Macauley
-Commissioner Francis Davies
-Commissioner Cassandra Davies
-Alhaji I. B. Kargbo (President SLAJ)
-Dr. Julius Spencer (co-opted)
-Mr. Francis Gabbidon (co-opted)
-Mr. Isaac Massaquoi (SLAJ Representative)
-Mr. Joshua Nicol (SLAJ Representative)
-Mr. Christian Keili (SLAJ Representative)
-Ms. Hannah Foullah (co-opted)
The major responsibility of this committee during the year
was to finalise the draft of the Rules and Regulations gov
erning the operations of the media in Sierra Leone and Me
dia Code of Practice and the review of the IMC Act. Work
on this exercise culminated in the holding of a two-day
residential workshop of all stakeholders including SLAJ at
the Javouhey House in June 2005. The workshop was
officially opened by H.E. President Alhaji Tejan Kabbah.
A representative from Panos Insititute of West Africa
(PIWA) served as Resource person. Several recommenda
tions were made at the workshop for amendments and a
seven member committee comprising six members of
SLAJ and one Commissioner was appointed to finalise the
document.
The revised document has been submitted to the Minister
of Information & Broadcasting for necessary action.
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COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION
President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah(centre) officially launched
the workshop organized by the IMC to finalise the Media
Code of Practice. Others in the photograph are L-R SLAJ
President, Alhaji I.B.Kargbo , the Chairperson of the Parl.Oversight Comm, Janet Sam-King, IMC Chair, Bernadette
Cole, Comm. Sam Metzger and Mr. Alimamy Bathily, PANOS
rep
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3.3 Complaints Committee
This committee comprises the following members:
Commissioner Anthony Brewah (Chairman)
Commissioner Bernadette Cole Commissioner Christo Johnson
Commissioner Cassandra Davies
Commissioner Patricia Macauley
Commissioner Abu Bakarr Kargbo
Commissioner P. Ade Bell
Commissioner Sam J. E Metzger
Haja Halima Abdullah (co-opted)
Mrs. Georgette de Marke (co-opted)
The Complaints Committee is responsible for inquiring intocomplaints against the contravention of the Media Code of
Practice and for arbitration between the public and media
institutions. During the year, the Commission received a
total of 27 complaints from the public against various news-
papers and one radio station. (See Appendix). According to
the Commissions policy, all complaints are treated with the
same urgency, importance, objectivity, impartiality and neu-
trality.
The modus operandi of the committee could be compared
to that of an informal magistrate court setting. Complain-
ants and Defendants are summoned in writing to hearings at
the Secretariat. Complainants are requested to submit their
complaints in the presence of the defendants and the defen-
dants are also given an opportunity to defend themselves.
The proceedings are recorded and at the end of the hearings,
the Committee deliberates on all the information at its dis-
posal pertaining to the complaint. This includes more im-
portantly, the media organisations evidence/materials to
substantiate the allegations that are often the subject of the
complaint. The Committees decision on the matter is com-
municated to the Board in the form of a report followed by
recommendations for ratification.
During the year, recommendations to the Board following
deliberation of complaints by the Committee could be sum-
marized as follows:
Retraction and apology
Where a newspaper publishes an article, which is perceived
as defamatory and the Editor cannot substantiate his storyduring hearings, the Committee will request that the vexa
tious or defamatory article should be retracted giving it
prominence in the next edition of the newspaper. That
retraction should be followed by a letter of apology to
the aggrieved party, a copy of which should be submit-
ted to the Secretariat.
If, however, the Editor substantiates his story to the
satisfaction of the Complaints Committee, the matter is
dismissed.
Fine (Le500,000)
Where the offending newspaper refuses to comply with the
decision of the Commission to retract and apologise, the
Commission writes three reminder letters for compliance.
After the third reminder, the Commission then levies a
fine of Le500,000 (Five hundred thousand Leones) as pro
vided by the IMC Act 2000.
Further action for non-compliance
The present IMC Act 2000 does not empower the Commis-
sion to take further action. One media institution, PEEP
has refused to pay fines levied against it for blatantly re-
fusing to retract its story and apologise. This situation
arises from the weakness of the IMC Act 2000 and the
absence of Rules and Regulations governing the operationsof the media and the Media Code of Practice. The Com-
mission in collaboration with SLAJ has taken steps to
amend the IMC Act and to forward it together with the
other documents mentioned above to the Minister of Info-
rmation and Broadcasting to be tabled in Parliament.
It is hoped that these instruments will strengthen the au-
thority of the IMC to carry out its functions more effect-
tively and efficiently.
However, in sum, apart from this incidence, the Com-
mission succeeded in amicably resolving several com-
plaints during the period under review. (see annex).
3.4 Technical Committee
This Committee consists of the following members:-
-Commissioner Francis Davies - Chairman
-Commissioner Cassandra Davies
-Mr. Alex Fergusson-Nicol (co-opted member)
-Mr. Bunting-Wright (co-opted member)
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The Technical Committee is responsible for verifying that
the technical requirements for establishing an electronic me-
dia institution are met. During the year under review, the
Technical Committee interviewed and scrutinized applica-
tions submitted by people and institutions to operate radio
and television broadcasting stations, DTH/DSTV in the
country. Those applicants that met the requirements were
recommended for frequency allocations and by the end of
the year, a total of four (4) community radio stations, one (1)
commercial radio station, four (4)television stations and three
(3)DTH/DSTV agencies that had applied for licenses in 2005
had been approved. By the end of the year all the radio sta-
tions were operational, only two DTH/DSTV agencies had
started operations but only one television station ABC was
functional. This brings the number of radio stations operating
in the country to 32 and television stations to 2 (ABC and
SLBS Freetown) and DTH/DSTV operators to 4.
The Committee carried out familiarization and monitoring
visits to registered community radio and television stations
across the country to ascertain conformity with the provi-
sions in the IMC Act. This exercise covered some of the
stations in the Western Area, Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Mile
91.
It is worth noting that almost all the regions of the country
can now access information through their respective com-
munity radio stations. The university campus at Fourah Bay
College now has a teaching radio station, Radio Mount
Aureol which is expected to provide the necessary training
along with other trainers including INFORMOTRAC for
operators of the radio stations.
3.5 Applications Committee
This Committee consists of the following members:
- Commissioner Sam J. E. Metzger - Chairman
- Commissioner Christo Johnson
- Commissioner Dr. Abu Bakarr Kargbo
- Commissioner Cassandra Davies
Commissioner Patricia Macauley
It is responsible for receiving and screening applications for
licensing and registration of print media institutions.
During the year under review, the Committee inter-
viewed and recommended the registration of seven
newspapers, thus bringing the total number of regis-
tered newspapers to 39. The Committee also visited
the facilities of registered newspapers.
The Commission however notes that the print media is
concentrated in the Western Area. The reason might be
obvious because the greater readership is found in
Freetown. Now that there is peace and the decentrali-
zation process on full course, the Commission would
like to see newspaper houses established in the provin-
cial headquarter towns.
3.6 Secretariat Staff Meetings
The Secretariat staff met on a weekly basis with the Chair-
person to plan the activities of the Commission. These
meetings focused mainly on ensuring that decisions
taken at the Regular Board Meetings and at the Com-
mittees were being implemented.
4.0 OTHER MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE
COMMISSION
4.1 Establishment of the annual media awards
scheme
To address one of its mandates, which is to ensure that
media institutions achieve the highest level of effi-
ciency in the provision of media services, the Board of
the Independent Media Commission established an
annual media award scheme in 2005, with the support
of the leading mobile company, CELTEL. It set up a
Committee of media stakeholders with the followingmembers to organize the awards ceremony:
- Mr. Joshua Nicol (co-opted) - Chairman
- Dr. Julius Spencer (co-opted)
- Mr. Christo Johnson - Commissioner
- Mr. Kenneth Osho (co-opted)
- Mr. Francis Gabbidon (co-opted)
- Mrs. Georgette de Marke (co-opted)
- Mrs. Bernadette Cole - Commissioner
Media practitioners were requested to send in entries in the
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following categories in both the print and electronic media:
Best radio/TV reportage on development issues
Best news features
Best investigative report
Best original sport reportage
The entries were to be original and should take the form of
articles published in newspapers or magazines or pro-
grammes aired on radio or Television between January 1 and
October 30, 2005.
To ensure fairness, transparency and unbiased assessment of
the entries, the judges were chosen, as far as possible, from
among expatriates with background in mass communication,
who were serving in various organisations in Sierra Leone.
38 entries were received. Prizes in the form of trophies and
cash provided by CELTEL were awarded to eight winners.
4.2 Development of a Resource Centre
The urge to ensure that media institutions achieve the high-
est level of efficiency in the provision of media services and
promote research (two of the requirements in the Commis-
sions mandate), found expression in the development of a
Resource Centre during the year. With assistance from
DFID, work on the establishment of the Resource Centre
progressed satisfactorily. The Centre which is housed in the
IMCs Secretariat is expected to be officially opened for use
by journalists and other interested persons in the first quarter
of 2006.
4.3Repeal of the defamation and seditious libel laws
Over the past two years, several calls were made by civil
society, including SLAJ for the repeal of
the defamation and seditious libel laws.
The IMC monitored this development and
participated in seminars and workshops
organized by civil society organizations to
deliberate on this matter.
In September 2005, the IMC received a
letter from H.E. the President expressing his
thoughts on calls for the repeal of the 1965
Public Order Act regarding the defamation
and seditious libel laws.
As the body charged with the responsibility
to advise the government on media policies,
the IMC was requested to advise the President on the issue.
The first step taken by the IMC was to conduct a press con-
ference to: sensitise journalists about the content of the Public
Order Act
to discuss with them the content of the Presidents
letter which included the suggestion for an insurance
to be paid by each media organization against damages
in libel suits as an alternative to the defamation and
seditious libel laws
to solicit suggestions from them for an alternative
mechanism that would adequately protect the citizens
against undue abuse by the media if the defamationand seditious libel laws were repealed.
Relevant papers were presented at the Press Conference by
the Sierra Leone Bar Association, the Sierra Leone Ass
ciation of Journalists, the Law Officers Department and
the IMC.
The Press Conference was followed by a series of sensiti-
zation and consultative phone-in discussion programmes on
most of the radio stations in the western area. Workshops
and radio discussion programmes were also held in the
Page 10
Two members of the annual Media Awards Scheme Committee L-R Mr.
Joshua Nicol, Chairman and Dr. Julius Spencer.
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southern and northern provinces to consult with the citi-
zenry on their views on the issue. All of these activities
were supported by funds from the IMC. By the close of the
year, the IMC funds were exhausted and the Commission
appealed to ENCISS for financial assistance to cover the
sensitization and consultation programme in the eastern
province. The initial response is positive and coverage of
the eastern province has been planned for February 2006.
The sensitization and consultation programme will culmi
nate in a two-day wrap up national position seminar to beheld in Freetown in 2006 with funding from the UNDP .
From the nation-wide consultations, three scenarios have so
far emerged. There are those who believe that the defama-
tion and seditious libel laws should be totally expunged
from the 1965 Public Order Act and should not be replaced
by anything. Others feel that the custodial sentences
should be repealed and replaced by huge fines, while others
believe that given the frequency with which the public is
being unjustly libeled by the press through irresponsible
reporting, the laws should be kept as they are for the time
being.
It is expected that a consensus that will represent the national
position on the issue will emerge at the wrap-up national
position seminar in 2006 to enable the IMC transmit the
national view on the issue to State Lodge and the general
public.
To ensure that SLAJ is fully involved at every stage of this
task, a Repeal of the defamation and seditious libel laws
committee was appointed by the IMC with the membership
as follows:
Commissioner Bernadette Cole - Chairperson
Commissioner Cassandra Davies
Commissioner ChristoJohnson
Commissioner Abu Bakarr
Kargbo
Commissioner Patricia
Macauley
Mr. Pe te r T ayoung
(representing the international
community)
Alha j i I .B . Kargbo
(President of SLAJ)
Mr. Augustine Beecher
(representing SLAJ) Mr. Crispin Edwards
(representing the law)
Mr. Isaac Massaquoi
(representing SLAJ)
Mr. Ibrahim Karim Sei
(Secretary General of SLAJ)
5.0 GENERAL
In general, the year 2005 witnessed substantial progress in
the IMC. One of its key mandates, which is to develop
rules and regulations governing the operations of the mediaand a Media Code of Practice was taken up with zest by the
Commission with the active collaboration of the Sierra
Leone Association of Journalists. This exercise was pur-
sued simultaneously with the revision of the IMC Act to
synchronise the information in the Media Code of Practice
with that in the Act to minimize confusion in the future. It
is expected that these documents will provide much-needed
guidelines to journalists for self-regulation and strengthen
the authority of the IMC to carry out its functions more
effectively and efficiently.
The status of the Chairperson, which had been a subject of
concern by the Board over a long period, was addressed by
the Commission during the year under review. The Com
mission is of the view that from the experience of the past,
having a full-time Chairman as the Act prescribes and a
full-time Executive Secretary, each of them wanting to run
the day to day activities of the Commission will continue to
plague the incumbents with frequent conflicts, frustration
and bitterness. In the experience of the IMC, this situation
led the former Chairman to concentrate more on his legal
Page 11
The Sensitisation and Consultation team comprising of three commissioners and Executive Sec-
retary of the IMC and four reps from SLAJ pose for a group photograph in Makeni
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pursuits and very little on the chairmanship and provision
of checks and balances in the handling of the Commis-
sions funds. This situation lent itself to several anomalies
and could in fact be attributed as one of the reasons for the
alleged forgery and misappropriation of the Commissions
funds by the former Executive Secretary, which matter is
still in Court. A chairman who is not involved in the run-
ning of the day to day business of the Commission but pro-
vides leadership and direction to the work of the Secretariat
will provide the necessary checks and balances that will
enhance the smooth running of the Commission. Also it is
the firm conviction of the Board that a chairman who gets
his salary from elsewhere is more likely to maintain the
independence that is required of the
Commission, than one who depends
on emoluments from the
Commission for his upkeep. This
position of the Board on this issue is
reflected in the amendment of this
section of the IMC Act, which
document is currently being processed
for the attention of parliament.
Throughout the year, the Commission
continued to jealously guard its inde-pendence to ensure that it is not
compromised. At no time did any arm
of government attempt to
mastermind the activities of the
Commission or influence its work.
All complaints before the Commis-
sion were treated with the same impor-
tance, objectivity, impartiality and neutrality. One
newspaper PEEP which wanted the Commission to come
out with a ruling in its favour, despite the fact that it could
not substantiate the allegation which was the subject of the
complaint before the Commission and not the extraneous
circumstances surrounding the matter, decided to use
unsavoury articles to vilify the Commission in its subsequent
publications. As mature and responsible citizens, the
Commissioners decided to ignore the papers provocative
articles and to continue to focus its energies on more produc-
tive pursuits. The Editor of the PEEP must however be
warned that no citizen including journalists is above the law.
The number of complaints that were lodged at the Commis-
sion during the year and the nature of the offending articles
suggest to the Commission that there is need for training in
investigative journalism and media law and ethics for re
porters. The Commission will endeavour to source funds
during the year to carry out training in these areas.
The IMC must congratulate all those newspapers that came
out regularly and were never brought before the Commis-
sion with complaints throughout the year.
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) though small
in stature, has a gigantic task ahead, if it should perform
effectively and efficiently.
From the registration of a handful of newspapers, one gov-
ernment owned radio and TV station and two independent
radio stations in 2001 when the Commission was estab-
lished, there are now close to 40 newspapers and 33 radio
and TV stations. Almost every area of Sierra Leone can
now access a community radio station.
This growth of media institutions reflects the hard work
and commitment of the Commissioners in facing the chal-
lenge of promoting free and pluralistic media throughout
Sierra Leone. With the spread of media throughout the
country, the Commission now faces the challenge of moni-
toring their activities to ensure that they operate within the
limits of the IMC Act and the Media Code of Practice.
Page 12
Two members of the IMC Policy Committee that worked on the Media Code of Practice
L-R The Ombudsman, Mr. Francis Gabbidon and Mr. Christian Keili of SLAJ
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Page 13
This calls for decentralization of the IMC by establishing
units in the headquarter towns. This issue will be given
considerable thought and discussion with relevant
stakeholders during the year, with a view to developing a
viable proposal and action plan.
The Commission would like to take this opportunity to thank
the Government for giving it a free hand to pursue its man-
date without any interference. It must also thank the govern-
ment for its annual subvention and to request that considera-
tion be given for an increase to assist it meet its growing ac
tivities.
The Commission also registers its profound gratitude to
DFID, PANOS Institute of West Africa and CELTEL forproviding funding to actualize some of its programmes and
projects during the year under review.
Special thanks go to other partners including the Media
Foundation for West Africa, the UNDP, IFJ, WAJA, the
US Embassy, the British High Commission, the British
Council, the German Embassy, SLAJ, ENCISS, Sam King
Services, the Mass Communication Department at Fourah
Bay College, C-MET, the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting and all media organizations operating in the
country for their cooperation.
6.0 2005 FINANCIAL REPORT
Media development is a very important factor in any de
mocratic process. The establishment of the Independent
Media Commission (IMC) clearly indicates governments
commitment to the freedom of expression by the media,
while providing a mechanism for the protection of the
rights of the citizens and the journalists themselves
through regulation by an independent body.
There is now a remarkable awareness of the need for infor-
mation dissemination in the country. Unlike the past, civil
society is now getting involved in the establishment of
electronic media as well as serving as agents for direct to
home satellite broadcasting. If not properly regulated, the
convergence of all these media could become counterpro
ductive. These developments call for increased financial
support for the IMC to enable it perform its functions ef-
fectively.
The Commission had bad experience with regard to finan-
cial management in the last administration. This is reflected
in the Auditor-Generals report for 2002-2004. However,
with the appointment of a new Chairperson and a Chief
Accountant who have left no stone unturned in ensuring
accountability and probity in all financial transactions of the
commission, the situation has improved considerably. Sev-
eral mechanisms have been put in place to maintain checks
and balances and for regular financial reports to be submit-
ted to the Board.
6.1 Funding
Major funding for the year under review came from the
government. Other sources of funding were from fees col-lected for applications, registrations, licenses, fines, dona-
tions and donor support to specific projects and pro-
grammes.
In June 2005, following a request from the IMC to Panos
Institute of West Africa (PIWA) for financial support for
the organization of a two-day residential workshop at
Javouhey House to deliberate on the draft media code of
practice, a sum of Le15.8m was received.
A request to DFID for assistance in the setting up of a re
source centre for journalists in the IMC Secretariat also
attracted funding to the tune of Le33,585,000.
CELTEL supported the maiden IMC/CELTEL media
awards ceremony through the provision of the trophies and
cash prizes. CELTEL also underwrote the expenses
incurred at the Kimbima hotel where the awards ceremony
and cocktails were held
.
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7.0 I M C THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN [2006 2008]
The Commission envisages growth between 2006 and 2008 in terms of its overall operations and the establishment of monitoringunits in the provinces. 2006 and 2008 are years immediately before and after the elections when media institutions are expected to
cover pre- and post- election activities. The Commission would therefore like to collaborate with other stakeholders to conduct
training to raise the level of efficiency of the media in reporting in this area.
It is against this background that the Commission has developed a three-year strategic plan as follows:-
Page 15
OBJECTIVE ACTIVITIES EXPECTED OUT-COME
FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008
1. To strengthen theinstitutional capac-ity of the Commis-sion so as to pro-mote a free and
pluralistic mediathroughout SierraLeone
. Provide an efficientwork environment
. Train staff
. Provide better terms
& conditions of service
.Procure official vehi-cle
An efficient work envi-
ronment provided
. S t a f f m e m b e r s
equipped to carry outtheir duties
Personnel policy es-tablished
.Official vehicle pro-cured
151,000,000
3,500,000
103,218,000
60,000,000
221,000,000
3,500,000
118,700,000
-
223,500,000
5,000,000
136,505,805
-
2. To ensure thatmedia institutionsachieve the highestlevel of efficiency inthe promotion ofmedia services so asto improve their
institutional capac-ity
.Establish a ResourceCentre.
.Seminars and work-shops for media prac-titioners
. Radio/TV talk shows
and discussions na-tionwide
.Monitoring & evalua-tion of media facilities
A viable Resource
Centre established
. Media training work-shops for media prac-titioners held
. Monthly IMC talkshows held
. Quarterly visits tomedia houses con-ducted
2,000,000
10,000,000
4,000,000
15,000,000
2,000,000
10,000,000
4,000,000
15,000,000
2,000,000
12,000,000
4,000,000
15,000,000
3. To protect theinterest of the publicagainst exploitationor abuse by mediainstitutions and todrastically reducecomplaints
. Launch a MediaPolicy document
.Conduct workshopswith journalists on theRules and Regulations
. Hold regular meet-ings of the Complaints
Committee to resolveconflicts between jour-nalists and the public.
. A national MediaPolicy document pro-duced
. A considerable re-duction in the
number of complaintssent to the IMC.
16,000,000
37,500,000
19,000,000
43,000,000
22,000,000
43,000,000
4. To promote tech-nological researchand the develop-ment of adequatehuman resourcesfor the advancementof the media indus-try throughout Si-erra Leone
. Setting up of aninternet caf for re-search purposes.
. An internet researchcaf set up.
50,000,000 - -
5. Audit . To conduct a yearlyaudit of the IMC fi-
nancial records
. Yearly audit con-ducted
6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000
GRAND TOTAL 458,218,000 442,200,700 471,005,805
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8.0 CONSTRAINTS
8.1 Financial constraints
As a young Commission, the IMC faces a great deal of financial
challenges. Journalists and the general public are yet to under-
stand and appreciate the important role of the Commission.
The budget within which the Commission operates is very lim-
ited. Even the projection made in the three-year strategic plan
will need an extraordinary effort to achieve some of the set ob-
jectives.
The Commission will therefore require government to review
its financial allocation upwards. More importantly, the Com-
mission will request for autonomy in the control of its revenue.
By so doing the true independent nature of the Commission willbe demonstrated and thus give confidence to its suspicious clien-
tele.
8.2 Office equipment
Since the establishment of the Commission in 2001, there has
been no procurement of office equipment. The existing officeequipment, especially, computers are defective and insufficient.
As a media regulatory body, the Commission is expected to be
current with events around the world. Therefore, the Commis-sion would need to be on line and also provide internet services
for journalists. This facility is non-existent at the moment.
The Commission will therefore require government and IMCs
partners to intervene in this direction so as to enhance the capac-
ity of the Commission.
Logistics support
A major constraint facing the Commission is the lack of logis-
tics support in the area of mobility. There is no vehicle or mo
torbike.
The Commission needs to continue its visitations of media in
stitutions nationwide. It cannot achieve this objective within thelimited budget.
The Commission will therefore require government and IMCs
partners to provide at least two very sturdy vehicles to facilitate
its activities. Allocations for visits cannot cope with the
market demands to hire commercial vehicles for the purpose
.This constraint needs urgent attention taking into account thepoints highlighted above.
9.0 CONCLUSION AND SIGNATURE
The IMC would like to assure all stakeholders that if the pro-
posals made in this report are given due attention it will per-
form its duties more efficiently and effectively.
Faithfully submitted
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE INDEPENDENTMEDIA COMMISSION
..
Bernadette P. Cole (Mrs.)CHAIRPERSON
..
Date
Francis D. D. Ganda
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
..
Date
Page 16
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ANNEX 1FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page 17
APPENDICES
ANNEX1A
IMC FINANCIAL STATEMENT
JANUARY - DECEMBER 2005
The Commission started the year with Le23,025,439 in its current account (Leone account)
and $ 3,976 in its US Dollar account.Both accounts are with the Sierra Leone Commerical Bank.
Although the Government approved a budget of Le64,310,400 for salary grants ,the actual amount
received was Le57,934,587. The government also approved a budget of Le101,300,000 for recurrent expens
but the actual amount received was Le84,133,800. From these amounts, the balance at the end of the year
The Commission also received funds through licence fees from radio stations and newspapers
and grants from donors. The total received during the year under review was Le 82,550,800
for the following programmes/projects of the Commission.
Grant from PANOS to fund the national media workshop - 15,800,000
Grant from DFID to fund the setting up of the Resource Centre - 33,585,000
Funds received from application and licence fees - 29,425,000
and the rest termed OTHERS -sale of vehicle and staff loan repayments etc 3,740,800
82,550,800
The Dollar account is maintained from international relay radio stations that pay their fees
in dollars. Only one station VOA paid in 2005
The details of all financial transactions are in the appendix attached.
Prepared by .. Approved by
Chief Accountant Chairperson
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ANNEX 1C
Page 19
Income from Applications, Registrations, Licence and other donations (IMC leones ACCT)Line items Quarter one Quarter two Quarter three Quarter four TOTAL
Opening balance 23,025,439 23,025,439
Grant DFID 33,585,000 33,585,000
Grant PANOS 15,800,000 15,800,000
Application fees 350,000 675,000 300,000 150,000 1,475,000
Newspapers licence fees 300,000 600,000 900,000 800,000 2,600,000
Radio/tv licence fees 2,300,000 19,000,000 2,850,000 1,200,000 25,350,000
Donations towards chairman's funeral 200,000 - - - 200,000
Others(sale of official vehicle etc) 130,800 1,500,000 - 1,630,800
Government subvention - -
Transport hire/Localtravelling 2,000,000 3,000,000 5,000,000
Imprest 9,200,000 1,500,000 10,700,000
Honararium 3,810,000 4,000,000 7,810,000
Staff loan - 560,000 502,000 848,000 1,910,000
TOTALS 26,306,239 31,535,000 59,747,000 11,498,000 129,086,239
Expenses from IMC Funds
Line items Quarter one Quarter two Quarter three Quarter four TOTAL
Total expenses
Generator expenses 728,000 150,000 548,000 822,000 2,248,000Funeral exp.(late chairman F. Conteh) 1,000,000 2,742,500 - - 3,742,500
Staff welfare (allowances,bonus,loans) 445,000 2,890,000 4,141,800 6,073,469 13,550,269
Stationery & IMC mtgs 1,619,000 950,000 1,404,000 - 3,973,000
Telephone bills - 2,000,000 494,200 - 2,494,200
Curtains - 899,000 - - 899,000
Adverts - 1,020,000 - - 1,020,000
Office repairs - 220,000 310,000 - 530,000
Electricity bill - - 1,150,000 1,150,000
Water bills - 114,000 60,881 77,444 252,325
Imprest - 2,405,500 2,414,000 2,538,700 7,358,200
lawyer retainer fee - 2,500,000 2,500,000 5,000,000
Sitting allowances(Honararium) - 160,000 5,960,000 3,580,000 9,700,000
Monitoring visits(T/P hire) - 1,295,500 5,126,800 6,422,300
Workshop exp (PANOS) - 13,826,900 150,000 13,976,900
Resource Centre (DFID) 30,000,000 500,000 30,500,000
Computer repairs - 1,250,000 1,320,000 605,000 3,175,000
Miscellaneous - - 425,000 - 425,000
Bank charges - 143,030 160,669 104,333 408,032
TOTALS 3,792,000 18,739,530 61,065,450 23,227,746 106,824,726Excess income over expenses 31st Dec 2005 22,261,513
Independent Media Comission
Income and Expenditure Statement January - December 2005
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ANNEX 1D
Page 20
Income from Applications, Registrations, Licence and other donations (IMC dollar acct)
Line items Quarter one Quarter two Quarter three Quarter four TOTAL
Opening balance 3,976 - - - 3,976
Deposits made - - - -
Application fees -
Registration fees -
Annual licence fees 4,000 4,000
Other donations -
TOTALS 3,976 4,000 - - 7,976
Expenses from IMC Funds (IMC dollar acct)
Line items Quarter one Quarter two Quarter three Quarter four TOTAL
Total expenses -
Bank charges 15 45 15 15 90
TOTALS 15 45 15 15 90
Excess income over expenses 31st Dec 2005 7,886
Independent Media Comission
Income and Expenditure Statement
January - December 2005
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ANNEX II: NEWSPAPERS THAT REGISTERED WITH THE IMC IN 2005
ANNEX III: RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS THAT REGISTEREDWITH THE IMC IN 2005
No NAMES OF EDITORS NEWSPAPER ADDRESS
1. Dr. Sylvia Blyden Awareness Times 24 Garrison Street
2. Mr. Abdul Rahman-Swarray New Tempo 11 Regent Road
3 Mr. Victor Summer ATTAYA 11 Kissy Road
4 Mr. Ibrahim Karim Sei African Standard 31 Garrison Street
5. Ms. Betty Foray-Reid Evening Scoop 14 Lightfoot Boston St.
6. Mr. Victor Lewis Spectator 17 Pademba Road
7. Mr. Emmanuel Stafford City Voice 68 Regent Road
Page 21
No. Name of Station Address Frequency MHz Status
1. Radio Bontico Bonthe Town Council FM 96.9 MHz Community
2 Eastern Radio 56 Blama Road. Kenema FM 101.9 MHz Community
3 Radio Gbonkolenken Yele, Gbonkolenken Chiefdom FM 101.9 MHz Community
4 Radio Kolenten 11 Bai Farama Tass II Road, Kam- FM 104.0 MHz Commercial
5 Radio Mount Aureol Fourah Bay College (FBC) FM 107.3 MHz Community
6 ABC Television 5th Floor, Kissy House, 482.2MHz Commercial
7 Open Door Communica- 15 Bai Bureh Road, Kissy 578.0-584.0MHz Religious
8 Fortune Television 34A Fudia Terrace, Hill Station 250.0-262.4 MHz Commercial
9. Afritex Television 49 Waterloo Street, 263.2MHz-266.8MHz Commercial
10. Starr Television 2 Pyke Street, Freetown 2.108GHz Commercial
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ANNEX IV: DTH/DSTV AGENCIES THAT REGISTERED WITH THE IMC IN2005
ANNEX IVA: COMPLETE LIST OF DTH/DSTV AGENCIES REGISTERED INSIERRA LEONE
Page 22
No. Name of Station Address Frequency MHz Status
1. Trend Com 17 Pademba Road INTELSAT 907 Commercial
2 Trend TV 2 Charlotte Street INTELSAT 907 Commercial
3 Trend Sayasha c/o Alhaji Yayah Deen
7 College Road, Cline Town, Free-
town
INTELSAT 907 Commercial
No. Name of Station Address Frequency MHz Status
1. Trend Com 17 Pademba Road INTELSAT 907 Commercial
2 Trend TV 2 Charlotte Street INTELSAT 907 Commercial
3 Trend Sayasha c/o Alhaji Yayah Deen
7 College Road, Cline Town, Free-
town
INTELSAT 907 Commercial
4. DSTV 39 Wilkinson Road, Freetown Commercial
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ANNEX V: COMPLETE LIST OF NEWSPAPERS REGISTERED IN SIERRA LEONE
Page 23
No NAMES OF EDITORS NEWSPAPER ADDRESS1 Mr. Sahr Musa Yamba, Concord Times 51 Krootown Road
2 Mr. Ibrahim Karim Sei Standard Times 2A Ascension Town Road
3 Mr. A.B.S. Massaquoi New Vision 29 Rawdon Street
4 Mr. Christopher Koker Advocate 29 Rawdon Street
5 Mr. Richie Olu Gordon Peep Magazine 28 Savage Street
6 Mr. Osman Ben Kargbo New Citizen 7 Wellington Street
7 Mr. Williams J. Smith We Yone Newspaper 13 Pademba Road
8 Mr. Jonathan Leigh Independent Observer 29 Rawdon Street
9 Mr. Sydney Pratt The Trumpet Boot A1 Beaconsfield
Off Fergusson St
10 Mr. Sahr Mbriwa Independent Voice 1 Short Street
11 Mr. Charles N. Davies Christian Monitor 8 Howe Street
12 Mr. Foday Fofanah Herald Guardian 12 Bathurst Street
13 Mr. Desmond Conteh Rokel Times FW Inter. 11 Regent Road
14 Mr. S.W. Bockarie Comment 5 Edward Lane, F/town
15 Hon. Baba Conteh, Angel 5 Mary Street
16 Mr. Frank Kposowa Unity 29 Rawdon Street
17 Mr. Pious Foray Democrat 14A George Street
18 Mr. Jacob I. Koroma African Champion 1 Short Street19 Mr. Alpha R. Jalloh The Independent Lamina Sankoh Street
20 Mr. Christian Keili Salone Times 16 Upper Brook Street
21 Mr. Charles F. Davies Rural Network 60 Old Railway Line
22 Mr. Joseph Mboka Policy 8 Liverpool Street
23 Mr. Kelvin Lewis AWOKO 47 Percival Street
24 Mr. Foday Sesay Youth Forum 1 Short Street
25 Mr. Sule Musa Newday Magazine 69 Fort Street
26 Mr. Sheik Sesay Exclusive Newspaper 2 Circular Road
27 Mr. Tatafoe Tumoe The News 24 Rawdon Street
28 Harry Yansaneh For Di People 1 Short Street29 Mrs. Esme James Catalyst Magazine CLC Bookshop Circular Rd
30 Mass Comm Dept Aureol Torch C/o Mass Comm. Dept. FBC
31 Mr. Emmanuel Stafford City Voice 68 Regent Road
32 Ibrahim El Tayyib Bah The Post 31 Garrison Street
33 SLENA Sierra News 15 Wallace Johnson Street
34 Dr. Sylvia Blyden Awareness Times 24 Garrison Street
35 Mr. Abdul Rahman-Swarray New Tempo 11 Regent Road
36 Mr. Victor Summer ATTAYA 11 Kissy Road
37 Mr. Ibrahim Karim Sei African Standard 31 Garrison Street
38 Ms. Betty Foray-Reid Evening Scoop 14 Lightfoot Boston St.39 Mr. Victor Lewis Spectator 17 Pademba Road
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ANNEX VI: COMPLETE RADIO AND TV STATIONS REGISTERED IN SL
Page 24
NO. NAME OF STATIONS
ADDRESS
FREQUENCY MHz1. Radio Gbaft Mile 91 Romankneh GBAFT 91.6 MHZ
2. BBN Believers Broadcasting Network
Pademba Road, Freetown
93.0 MHZ
3. Voice of the Handicapped 18J Oniel Street Quarry, Off Mends Street . 96.2 MHZ
4. Radio Democracy Signal Hill Freetown/7 Small Waterloo
Street
98.1 MHZ
5. Radio Maria Makeni 101.1 MHZ
6. Voice of America Leicester Village 102.4 MHz
7. Citizen FM Thunder Hill, Kissy, Freetown 103.7 MHz
8. KISS 104 BO 104.0 MHz
9. Sky-FM 106 Mount Joy 106.0 MHz
10. Radio Life Ventures 3 Soldier Street Freetown 97.2 MHz
11. Nongowa C/o Chief Suwu, Nyandema Kenema 101.3MHz
12. MOA Kenema Village Kailahun District 105.5 MHz
13. MODCAR 16 Mission Road, Moyamba 94.8 MHz
14. Voice of Islam 2 Yamson Lane, Kissy Shell, Freetown 103.0 MHz
15 Radio Mankneh 35 Missiri Street, Makeni 92.1 MHz
16 Capital Radio 49D Wilkinson Road 102.7 MHz
17 Radio New Song 73 Old Railway Line, Sewa Road, Bo 97.2 MHz,
18 Radio Bintumani Kabala Town 107.3 MHz
19 Voice of the Peninsula RadioTombo
2 Findley Street, Tombo Village 96.0 MHz
20 Ministry of Education Radio
Station
New England Ville 95.3MHz
21 Eastern Radio 56 Blama Road, Kenema 101.9MHz
22 Radio Kolenten Kambia 92.4MHz
23 Radio Bontico Bonthe Town Council 96.9MHz
24 Radio Gbonkonlenken 11 Bai Farama Tass Road Kambia 1
25. Radio UNAMSIL Aberdeen 103.0MHz
26 SLBS, Satellite Station Bo 96.5MHz
27 SLBS, Satellite Station Kenema 93.5MHz
28 SLBS, Satellite Station Kono/Koidu Town 90.2MHz
29. SLBS Makeni 103.0MHz
30 SLBS, New England New England 99.9 MHz
31 Radio Mount Aureol Mount Aureol, FBC FM107.3
32 Open Door Communication
TV
15 Bai Bureh Road, Kissy 576.0 -584.0MHz
33 Fortune Television 34A Fudia Terrace 2500MHz -2624MHz
34 Afritex TV 49 Waterloo Street 2.632-2.668GHZ
35 ABC TV 6th
Floor Kissy House,54 Siaka Stevens
Street
482.2MHZ
32 Radio France International c/o Kelvin Lewis FM 89.9MHz
36 SLBS, TV New England New England
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ANNEX VII: COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC IN 2005
Page 25
NO. DATE IMC
RECEIVEDCOMPLAINT
NAME OF
COMPLAIN-ANT
OFFENDING
NEWSPAPER/
RADIO STA-TION
NATURE OF
COMPLAINTDECISION
TAKEN BYIMC
STATUS OF
THE COM-PLAINT/ DE-
CISIONTAKEN BY
IMC
1 27th Janu-
ary,2005
NACSA Independent
Voice
Libel against the
Deputy Com-
missioner
The newspaper
was order to
publish a retrac-
tion of the story
and apologise
The newspaper
complied
2 14th March,2005 The Sierra
Leone Police
The Society for
Radio Democ-
racy F.M 98.1
Publication of
false news
After the IMC
had counseled
both parties, it
was agreed that
the matter be
laid to rest
3 17th
March
2005
Ibrahim
Morikeh Fofa-
nah
The Editor New
People newspa-
per
Defamation and
Libel
The newspaper
was ordered to
retract the story
and apologise
The newspaper
complied
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ANNEX VII: COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC IN 2005 CONTD
Page 26
N
O.
DATEIMC RE-
CEIVEDCOM-PLAINT
NAME OFCOM-
PLAINANT
OFFEND-ING
NEWSPA-PER/
RADIOSTATION
NATUREOF COM-
PLAINT
DECISION TAKEN BYIMC
STATUS OFTHE COM-
PLAINT/DECISIONTAKEN BY
IMC
4 5th
April,2005
The Perma-
nent Secre-
tary, Ministry
of Trade and
Industry
The Editor
of Standard
Times news-
paper
False News Since the hearings were
overtaken by an inquiry
initiated by the ADB and
in view of the fact that the
Ministrys representatives
failed to appear at subse-
quent hearings, the IMC
decided to strike the matteroff its list of complaints
representatives
This decision
was commu-
nicated to the
complainant
and a press
release was
issued to the
effect
5 10th
April,2005
The Regional
Director
Search for
Common
Ground
The Editor
of Standard
Times news-
paper
Libel In view of the fact that the
complainant was for the
most part out of the coun-
try and could therefore not
attend hearings and could
also not give a date on
which she could be pre-
sent, the Commission de-
cided to discontinue the
matter
This decision
was commu-
nicated to the
complainant
and a press
release was
issued to the
effect
6 13th
April
2005
Mr. Kanji
Daramy
Defamation
and libel
The Editor
New Peo-
ple news-
paper
The newspaper was or-
dered to retract the story
and apologise
The newspa-
per complied
7 25th April,
2005
The Com-
mander of 4th
Battalion,
Teko Bar-racks
The Editor
of Exclusive
Times news-
paper
Defamation
and libel
The newspaper was or-
dered to retract the story
and apologise
The newspa-
per complied
8 29th
April,2005
The Deputy
Minister of
Health and
Sanitation
The Editor
of Standard
Times news-
paper
Defamation
and libel
The newspaper was or-
dered to retract the story
and apologise
The newspa-
per complied
9 16th
May,2005
The Ombuds-
man,
Mr. Francis
Gabbidon
The Editor
of Trumpet
newspaper
Defamation
and Libel
The newspaper to publish a
retraction and an apologyThe newspa-
per complied
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31/34
ANNEX VII: COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC IN 2005 CONTD
Page 27
NO. DATEIMC
RE-CEIVED COM-PLAINT
NAME OFCOMPLAIN-
ANT
OFFENDING NEWSPA-PER/
RADIO STATION
NATURE OFCOMPLAINT
DECISIONTAKEN BY IMC
STATUS OFTHE COM-
PLAINT/DECISIONTAKEN BY
IMC
10. 1st
June,
2005
The Executive
Director First
Media Group
Without any prompting
from the IMC, the newspa-
per apologized as soon as
he received a letter from
the Commission inviting
him to a hearing. The com-
plainant accepted apology
from the editor and the
matter was laid to rest
Contravention of
copyright Law
The editor apolo-
gised to complain-
ant before the Com-
mission started
hearing on the mat-
ter
The matter
was amicably
settled be-
tween the two
parties.
11 15th
June,
2005
The Anti-
Corruption
Commission
The Editor of Standard
Times newspaper
Libel In view of the fact
that after the first
few hearings, the
complainant
stopped attending
meetings of the
Complaints Com-
mittee and despite
several reminders
they still did notattend, the Commis-
sion decided to
strike off the com-
plaint from the list.
This decision
was communi-
cated to the
complainant
and a press
was release
put out to the
effect
12 6th
July,
2005
The Sierra
Leone Society
for the Welfare
of the Aged
The Editor of Standard
Times newspaper
Defamation and
Libel
After two hearings
the Commission
realised that the
matter was subju-
dice. The IMC
therefore decided to
discontinue hear-
ings and counseled
the editor to desist
from making com-
ments on the matter.
The matter is
still
subjudice
13 6th
July,
2005
The President of
SLFA
The Editor, Independent
Observer
Defamation and
Libel
The newspaper was
requested to retract
the story and apolo-
gise.
The newspaper
complied
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ANNEX VII: COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC IN 2005 CONTD
Page 28
N
O.
DATE
IMC RE-CEIVEDCOM-PLAINT
NAME OF
COM-PLAINAN
T
OFFENDING
NEWSPAPER/RADIO STA-TION
NATURE
OF COM-PLAINT
DECISION
TAKEN BY IMC
STATUS OF
THE COM-PLAINT/ DECI-SION TAKEN
BY IMC
14 4th
August,2005
NaCSA The Editor of Afri-
can Champion news-
paper
Defamation
and Libel
The newspaper was
requested to retract the
story and apologise
The newspaper com-
plied
15 26th
Septem-ber,2005
ONS The Editor of Stan-
dard newspaper
Breach of
secrecy under
the lawsTimes of
Sierra Leone
After one hearing the
Commission realised it
could not continue withthe matter since a Com-
mission of Enquiry had
been set-up by the Gov-
ernment to look into the
issue
16 11th
August
2005
Hon. Princess
Baba Jigida
The editor of New
Vision newspaper
Defamation
and Libel
The newspaper was or-
dered to retract the storyand apologise
The newspaper com-
plied
17 15th August
2005
The President
Alhaji Dr.
Ahmad Tejan
Kabba
The editor, Peep
Magazine
Defamation
and libel
The newspaper was
ordered to retract the
story and apologise
The newspaper did
not comply.
A Fine of Le500, 000
was levied for con-
tempt of IMC; the
newspaper still re-
fused to comply. The
matter is currently
before the Commis-sion.
18 7th
September
2005
The Ombuds-
man, Mr. Fran-
cis Gabbidon
The Editor, New
Vision newspaper
Defamation
and libel
The newspaper was
ordered to retract the
story and apologise
The newspaper com-
plied
19 7th
September
2005
The Ombuds-
man, Mr. Fran-
cis Gabbidon
The Editor, Exclu-
sive newspaper
Defamation
and libel
The newspaper was
ordered to retract the
story and apologise
The newspaper com-
plied
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ANNEX VII: COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC IN 2005 CONTD
Page 29
NO.
DATEIMC RE-
CEIVEDCOM-PLAINT
NAME OFCOM-
PLAINANT
OFFEND-ING NEWS-
PAPER/RADIOSTATION
NATUREOF COM-
PLAINT
DECISIONTAKEN BY IMC
STATUS OFTHE COM-
PLAINT/ DECI-SION TAKENBY IMC
20 7th
Septem-
ber,2005
Christian
Childrens
Fund (CCF)
The managing
Editor, Stan-
dard Times
newspaper
Libel Since the Editor of
Standard Times was
able to substantiate
the allegations in the
offending story, the
complaint was dis-
missed.
The representative
of the complainant
apologise to the
editor and the mat-
ter was laid to rest
21 8th Septem-
ber,2005
Mr. Samir
Hassaniyeh
The managing
Editor, Afri-
can Champion
Libel The newspaper was
ordered to retract
the story and apolo-
gise
The newspaper
complied
22 14th Sep-
tember,200
5
The Om-
budsman,
Mr. Francis
Gabbidon
The Manag-
ing Editor,
Trumpet
newspaper
Defamation
and libel
The newspaper was
ordered to retract
the story and apolo-
gise
The newspaper
complied
23 18
th Octo-
ber,2005
Mr. Alusine
Kamara Publicity
Secretary
PMDC
The Manag-
ing Editor,New vision
newspaper
False Report The complaint was
withdrawn by thecomplainant of his
own volition
24 19th Octo-
ber,2005
J.S Keifala-
Executive
Director,
SLRTA
New People
newspaper
Defamation
and LibelThe Complainant
appeared only once
for hearing.
The Commission
dismissed the case
25 7th
Novem-ber,2005 His GraceBishop Abu
Koroma
The Manag-ing Editor,
Pool newspa-
per
Defamation The newspaper wasordered to retractand apologise
The newspapercomplied
26 16th
No-
vember,200
5
Mr. Willie
O.Pratt
The Manag-
ing Editor,
Peep newspa-
per
Defamation
and libelHearing is in pro-
gress
Hearing is in pro-
gress
27 17th
No-
vember,
2005
Station Man-
ager,SLBS
Makeni
The Manag-
ing Editor,
Exclusive
newspaper
Defamation
and Libel
The newspaper was
ordered to retract
the story and apolo-
gise
The newspaper
complied
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34/34
FOR INFORMATION ON THE IMC
CONTACT:
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMISSION3RD FLOOR, KISSY HOUSE
54, SIAKA STEVENS STREET
FREETOWN,
SIERRA LEONE
TEL: (232 22) 221840/221835
(232) 076 724 854