Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Professor Septimus Kaijkai Friday disclosed that government, in its effort to strengthen the relationship with the Media, has designed a project for training facilities for media practitioners in Sierra Leone.
He made the statement during a press conference at his Youyi Building office in Freetown.
"The reason for organizing the training is to improve on the public information sector across the country and to make sure that the activities of government are adequately transmitted to the people," he said adding that government has solicited the service of a Media Consultant, Miss Norman to mediate between the media and government on issues that affect the media and to chart the way forward.
He maintained that training facility is not the only priority of government, but to also make sure that there are effective information sections in all the provincial towns, which will serve as means of monitoring some of the activities of journalists in their respective areas.
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ), Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the putting up of information strategy came as a request made by his organization for objective journalism.
"Positive information has to do with state governance, economy, and the democratization of the country," he said and observed that effective means of modern communication will serve as a step towards future development.
The Media Consultant, Ms. Norman acknowledge the role played by government in strengthening the cordial relationship with the media and that she will continue to mediate between these two important partners during the course of her two-year stay in the country.
She said documentation is now being put in place to guide them in doing their work as they are strongly looking at capacity building and other aspects that will make the profession meaningful.
"We want to make sure that the information reaches the grass root levels," she said adding that the project will be funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
