Press Release: Independent Media Commission

Independent Media Commission
16th March 2009

THE IMC'S POSITION ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE TWO POLITICAL RADIO STATIONS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT H E SAMUEL SAM-SUMANA

The Board of the IMC met at its premises, Monday 16th March 2009 on the above subject and decided as follows:

Mindful that the state has the responsibility to maintain law and order throughout the country,

Recognising that the IMC was created by Parliament to regulate the media in Sierra Leone;

Recognising also the crucial role played by SLAJ (Sierra Leone Association of Journalists) in the country's media landscape;

Noting the general reaction of the publc to the temporary suspension of the two political radio stations

The IMC realises that the government's action in suspending the radio stations stems from the powers of the Executive as stipulated in Sections 25 and 26 of the Constitution.

The IMC however strongly advises the government to speedily conclude arrangement for the Corporation of the SLBS, so that the new Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation can come into being as a national public broadcaster within the shortest possible time.

In this situation the SLBS will be accessible to all political parties and all shades of opinions which may render political party radio stations unnecessary.

In the meantime, the IMC calls on the government to work with the Commission to address the current situation.

Faithfully submitted
J.P.K. Lamin
For and on behalf of the Chairman and Commissioners of the Independent Media Commission