The National Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), led by President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla bade farewell to the outgoing Ambassador of the European Union in Sierra Leone, Manuel Alexander Muller, and his deputy, Juan Antonio FRUTOS GOLDARATZ.
The SLAJ delegation presented customized plaques to Ambassador Muller and his deputy in appreciation of their ‘steadfast support of press freedom, freedom of expression and media development initiatives in Sierra Leone’.
“The EU’s commitment to press freedom in Sierra Leone under your (Ambassador Muller’s) leadership is a shining example. As you return home to other assignments, your contributions will remain deeply appreciated,” said the SLAJ President.
Nasralla highlighted the cooperation and collaboration between SLAJ and the EU, citing the annual beach cleaning event, training of journalists on environment reporting, training of journalists during the 2023 general elections on the IMC regulations for print and electronic media, the development and launch of the SLAJ Media Manifesto, the signing of the Peace Pledge for the June 2023 elections, the Iverify platform to combat disinformation and fake news, World Press Freedom Day 2022 Freedom Walk following the repeal of the criminal libel law, the commemoration of Europe Day, and the several media lunch events in the last three years.
“We will miss you, Ambassador Muller. You are leaving us with one of the best advice regarding press freedom: ‘the only way to protect press freedom is to use it. Exercise your right to a free press daily. I will miss you personally for always calling me the Chief Journalist, and I will miss the Ambassador with the yellow tie, oh the cocktails too, and the wine (laugh),” said Nasralla.
Nasralla said with the support of the EU and other partners, SLAJ has made significant progress in media development and press freedom but noted that there is a lot more to be done to have a vibrant, independent, and critical media.
“On paper, we have made tremendous progress working collectively as industry players, partners, and with the Government, building the structures for the future. However, there are genuine concerns from journalists about safety and security, welfare, and the freedom to be critical of the establishment. We are trying to push for a separate chapter in the new national constitution so that we have progressive legislation guaranteeing press freedom and freedom of expression. We continue to count on the support, cooperation, and partnership of the EU and other diplomatic missions in the country, and the Government of Sierra Leone,” said Nasralla.
In response, Ambassador Muller thanked the SLAJ Executive for the farewell visit and the plaques. He assured that the EU would continue to work closely with SLAJ to protect and promote free speech and press freedom as essential ingredients for a thriving democracy.
“Many journalists are interested in press freedom and such opportunity should be given to them. However, there’s a difference between professional journalists and citizen journalists; there’s a need for collaboration because you all play important roles in providing information for the public; and you are all interested in free speech,” said Ambassador Muller, and urged SLAJ to focus on more training for journalists in the country to promote professional and ethical reporting.
He added: ‘I encouraged SLAJ to continue to be a critical voice in the country. Asking the right questions, and daring to ask the right questions.”
According to Ambassador Muller, when politicians like what the journalists are doing it means the journalists are not doing what they are supposed to be doing, ‘but when they hate you it means you are doing the right thing. It means you are doing a good job of being critical and holding them accountable.
Meanwhile, other executive members shared personal experiences interacting with the Ambassador during his public engagements. According to the Secretary General of SLAJ, Alhaji Manika Kamara, he first met Ambassador Muller in Songo in the Western Rural District during a Parliamentary bye-election; he said he was amazed by the modesty of the EU boss and his commitment to democracy.
“You caught my attention when you were moving from one polling center to another on a motorbike, chatting with voters and officials. You were literally on the ground trying to get firsthand information, and that was a good example for me,” said Kamara.
Equally, the SLAJ Financial Secretary Mohamed Konneh commended the patience of the EU Ambassador standing under the sun for hours at the polling center at Leicester during the June 24 2023 general elections waiting for polling materials to arrive so that citizens could exercise their right to vote. He said voting did not start until after midday.
The SLAJ Public Relations Officer, Umu Hawa Bakarr, informed the EU Ambassador that the media in Sierra Leone is male-dominated and urged the EU to also focus on supporting women in the media group WIMSAL to empower female practitioners in the country.
