When PR is cloaked as journalism

The problem with that cranky segment of our profession [the media] is not just the occasional display of two-facedness, but the deliberateness with which this is done.

The manifestations vary in different environments.

A bunch of newspapers. In Sierra Leone journalism, particularly the print media, is in crisis

As per my humble experience, I have not seen this manifested anywhere more than in Sierra Leone, where the pen and paper or the keyboard have become tools to achieving selfish ends rather than the transformative vehicle they are meant to be.

The emphasis here is on the print section, although a few radio stations with links to some of the strayed print media tend to tow that pliant direction.

It is worst for the online brands.

Does it surprise me why some of these publishers always appear struggling to convince themselves rather than their readers that they are the best?

Sierra Leone government accuses opposition of fermenting chaos

The governing All Peoples Congress (APC) party Sierra Leone government last week accused the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) of plotting to cause chaos and prevent the peaceful conduct of the November 17 polls.

SLPP Presidential candidate, (rtd) Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, on 2012 Nomination

The incumbent charged that despite efforts by its leader, President Ernest Bai Koroma, the opposition was bent on reversing the “hard earned peace” in the country using unconventional means.

The allegations, contained in a statement by the Ministry of Information and Communications, come as tension rises, fuelled mostly by invectives on campaign platforms.

The two main political parties have been trading accusations and counteraccusations of intimidations of their respective supporters in their respective strongholds.

Business leaders worry over election violence

A scene in a Freetown market

With threats of an outbreak of violence ahead of the November 17 polls increasing on a daily basis, business leaders in Sierra Leone have got every reason to grow edgy over the danger posed to their interests.

It turns out some have been thinking about it. A forum by the American Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone (AMCHAM-SL) recently brought together stakeholders to discuss this.

With an approximately US$500M investment in the country, AMCHAM executives see the electioneering process which is promising a chaotic turn is of concern given its potential impact on the country`s medium and long term economic aspirations.

Sierra Leone, Guinea on joint disease prevention effort

Sierra Leonean and Guinean authorities are finally considering the inevitable.

Kroo Bay Slum, one of several lining Freetown`s edge on the Atlantic Ocean

Last week there were reports that officials from the two sides had initiated discussions to map out joint strategies to prevent recurrence of cholera and other communicable diseases persistent in the sub region.

It comes at the tail end of months of a devastating cholera outbreak which cost over 400 lives.

Health officials of the two neighbouring countries converged in the northern Sierra Leonean town of Makeni for discussions involving sharing of experiences and lessons learnt from the incidents in the two countries.

The campaign promises

Exactly seventeen days from today, Sierra Leoneans will vote.

Candidates have been making promises as the campaign period enters third week.

Logo of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) party

Logo of the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP)

In many ways this is the most important election so far for the country struggling to shed its turbulent past. It comes exactly ten years since the end of the war. And popular belief is that about half of all post-conflict countries relapse into unrest within this period.

Also, as the third democratic elections and first to be organised entirely by Sierra Leoneans since the war, this will be the first ever multi tier elections – a total of four different elections to be held in one day – presidential, parliamentary, local councils and village heads.

The fears of Sierra Leone`s women

With attention appearing to focus more and more on who eventually wins Sierra Leone`s November 17 polls, a number of important issues are at risk of being overlooked.

One such issue is the plight of women. They have been clamouring for increased recognition in terms of decision making and governance. But they are also concerned about peace and security. In fact for most women these two are inseparable.

Last month hundreds of women, clad in white, marched through the streets of Freetown calling for political tolerance and a non-violent poll. The marchers, comprising female politicians, market women and women from other works of life, came out under the auspices of the All Political Parties Women Association (APPWA) of Sierra Leone.

A perfect timing

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan could not have chosen a better time to visit Freetown given the sudden rise in political temperature as Election Day nears.

Reports of last week end`s clashes involving supporters of the main political rivals in the November 17 polls, the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) party and the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), served as stark reminder of the ever existing threat to the peaceful conduct of the polls.

The ongoing accusation and counteraccusation being traded from the two sides further points to the intricacies of the situation.