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PRESS RELEASE.....

January 2008 - The IMC has settled more complaints lodged by the public recently.

 RECENT PRESS RECENT

 The Independent Media Commission (IMC) established in 2000 by an Act of Parliament as the regulatory body for media institutions in Sierra Lone will organize the Fifth Annual IMC/Zain Media Awards ceremony for excellence in reporting at the Bank of Sierra Leone Complex on Friday 26^th February 2010 commencing at 7.00p.m.

 The objective of the Awards is to raise the level of efficiency and professionalism of journalists in the practice of their profession. The Management of Zain Sierra Leone graciously accepted to fund the ceremony on an annual basis since 2005. The target beneficiaries are journalists in the print and electronic media as well as freelance columnists.

 A four-person delegation from the Independent Media Commission is on a week-long study tour of the Ghana National Media Commission and related media institutions in Ghana.readmore

 The Independent Media Commission notes from a couple of newspaper articles that the signatures of the Chairperson and Executive Secretary on the press release issued recently by the Commission on the suspension of the two political party radio stations have been misconstrued as evidence of dissention by some Commissioners.readmore

 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLC IN 2009. readmore

 The first from the Ombudsman, Mr. Francis Gabbidon was against the Exclusive newspaper in respect of a front page article captioned "Gabbidon Dragged to ACC".Readmore...

Press Release 27th August 2008 - Renewal Fees

The IMC wishes to inform the public that with effect from the 1st of September, 2008, the cost of Applications Forms for the establishment of radio stations and newspapers is increased to Le150, 000. License Fees for the registration and renewal of newspapers will now be Le250, 000. Read more...

 A series of activities culminating in the official opening of the first IMC regional office are being undertaken by the Independent Media Commission in Bo this week. Readmore

National Security Council Coordination Group (NSCCG) on behalf of UNIOSIL against Awareness Times.

In a letter captioned "Recommendation for suspension from publication of the Awareness Times Newspaper", NSCCG filed a complaint on behalf of UNIOSIL against the incessant publications by the Awareness Times Newspaper of articles which hinged on the personality and credibility of key international partners which led in part to UN staff being accosted in Kailahun with the possibility of inciting violence. Read more.....

Mr. Henry T. Kpakoi against Joseph Kamanda, a freelance journalist 

The Commission conducted two hearings on a complaint received from Mr. Henry Kpakoi of Komba Kpakoi House captioned "Berewa's Bodyguard Arrested with Loaded Pistol in the NEC Office before announcement of Results." The complainant stated that an article was downloaded from the cocorioko website in which Mr. Joseph Kamanda, a freelance journalist in Sierra Leone reported that before the official announcement of results for the Presidential Election, "Police in Freetown had arrested the security personnel attached to the defeated SLPP..." Read more.

Press Release - 6th November 2008 - IMC Concludes More Complaints 

More complaints have been concluded by the Independent Media Commission from the public including:

• The Essesade Ogboni Issue
• Complaint against the Managing Editor of New Age Newspaper by IMATT
• Complaint against Exclusive Newspaper dated 6th October 2008
• Complaint against African Champion Newspaper by ECOBANK official

and others.

Read more...

Press release 22nd July 2008 - IMC Settles More Complaints 

The Independent Media Commission recently concluded hearings into more complaints from the public including the following:

• Complaint by Sylvia Teresa Beckley against the Managing Editor of the Independent Observer
• Complaint by Mr. Joseph Mbawah, Principal International Academy of Science and Business Studies against Exclusive Newspaper
• Complaint by Dr. A.J. Sisay, Director-General, SLBS 

Read full article...

6th April 2006 - The IMC wishes it to be known that its Resource Centre, which is located at the Commission’s Secretariat 54 Siaka Steven Street, 3rd floor, Kissy House, Freetown is now open to the public. The facilities at the Centre are mainly for the use of journalists, media practitioners, Commissioners and staff of the IMC, Students pursuing courses in Mass communications and media related fields, Human Rights and Peace Building. Civil society activists, researchers, and interested members of the public are also welcome.

The Resource Centre is air-conditioned and is very comfortable with a unique sitting arrangement. It also offers a photocopy service at a moderate cost of One hundred Leones per page to enable users to photocopy materials they may want to take out of the centre. The Resource Centre is open from 9:00a.m- 5:00p.m Mondays through Thursdays and 9:00a.m-3:00p.m on Fridays. Only readers with authentic ID cards shall be allowed to use the Centre. For further information about the use of the Centre kindly contact the Information Officer, IMC on 221840 or 076-724-854. Read full article.

Registrar, President of Academic Affairs and President, Students Union of Njala University against Standard Times

Three separate complaints were sent to the Commission by the Registrar, President of Academic Affairs and te President of the Students Union respectively of Njala University. The offending articles were published in teh Wednesday 6th June edition, as well as the 8th and 27th June 2007 editions respectively of Standard Times. The articles criticized the programmes, staff status and general activities of Njala University. The University officials and students complained that the articles were tantamount to a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the image and integrity of the institution without an iota of credible evidence to substantiate the 'spurious allegations' made. During the hearing in the presence of both the complainant and defendant, the complainants retorted that the article was not only baseless.... 
Read full article...

30th January 2007 - The Independent Media Commission views with dismay the decline in the professional standards and moral ethics of certain recent publications. On Wednesday, 24th January 2007, the Awareness Timespublished a photograph of the managing editor of Standard Times on the front page with the headline "Reckless fool." On Friday, 26th January 2007, theStandard Times publication carried a photo of a cladly dressed woman being viewed by the late Foday Sankoh with the caption "Sylvia Blyden, Foday Sankoh's parlour wife?" This caption which appeared on the front page was later reproduced on page 10 of the same edition enlarged to make it more prominent. The IMC condemns in no uncertain terms both publications and is therefore appealing to both sides to refrain from such immoral publications and to desist forthwith. Read more...

More Archived Press Releases

Hon. Dr. Princess Baba Jigida against Mr. O. R Awoonor Gordon, Managing Editor, Peep Magazine. Read more... 

Mr. Alusine Kala Kamara against Mr. Shiekh Sesay, Managing Editor, Exclusive Newspaper. Read more...

Mr. Bassie Turay, Director of Drugs and Medical Supplies against Mr. Mohammed Koroma, Managing Editor, African Champion Newspaper.Read more...

Hon. P.C. M.S.K. Banya IV against the Managing Editor of Standard Times 

Independent Media Commission versus Mr. Mohamed Koroma, Managing Editor of African Champion. Read full article...

Ministry of Defence against Mr. Paul Kamara, Managing Editor of For Di People. Read full article...

Article in For Di People Newspaper condemned. Read more..

IMC versus Peep Newspaper Read more...

Mr. .Francis Gabbidon against the Exclusive Newspaper.Read more here.
CCF against Standard Times Newspaper. Read more here.

UNIOSIL against New Vision and Unity Radio

Mr. Philip Lukuley, Executive Director, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration against the Editor of African Champion

Mr Peter O. Koroma against the Managing Editor of Standard Times

More information may be obtained from:

The Executive Secretary
The Independent Media Commission
3rd Floor, Kissy House
54 Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown
Sierra Leone