The November 29 2008 Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) election will be an epoch-making event in the life of the association.

On this remarkable day 250 to 300 journalists all over Sierra Leone will be voting in their various regions for a new president that would be steering the ship of the association for another two years. Votes will also cast for a new regional and national executive that would be working with the new president of SLAJ.

However, the presidency is being contested by three outstanding veteran journalists, all of whom have been in the profession for decades and have won laurels for their outstanding roles played in the development of Sierra Leone. Philip Neville, Editor, Standard Times newspaper who has acted as SLAJ president, Umaru Fofana, BBC stringer in Sierra Leone and Ibrahim Karim Sei, former secretary general of SLAJ.

Many journalists are in a voting mode especially for first time voters who are excited to bring a change in journalism in Sierra Leone. It is an open secret that past SLAJ executives have been under serious criticism from fellow journalists about the way the association has been operating. Many believe the association's cake was not equitably shared to its members and that there was a need to introduce new blood into the system. Conversely, no matter who wins the SLAJ election, he would be faced with one of the major problems in journalism in Sierra Leone; changing negative public perception about the media. Despite the fact that the public largely depends on the media for accurate information, the issue of credibility in the information reaching the public is highly debatable amidst the rise in the number of newspapers and radio stations nation wide and the increase of impostors.

Meanwhile, what puzzles many is the rush for the various executive positions ignoring the fact that these positions need eloquent, determined and committed people.

Many are only eager to make history for themselves at the detriment of the association. Some merely want to add credence to their curriculum vitae by claiming 'I was an executive of SLAJ', but can they deliver the goods? Will they work in the interest of all journalists of Sierra Leone, particularly the vulnerable group of journalists in the provinces? My brothers and sisters, as you vie for positions in SLAJ, take a second thought as the adage say 'look before you leap'.

The SLAJ election just like the national election has been marred by hate as a result of campism. The media should be seen as an instrument fostering unity, love, peace and harmony in a country but this role would be impossible if we as journalists continue to hate ourselves for an election that is as important to us as this one. I personally think this election should unite us as journalists instead of dividing us, considering the pains journalists both dead and alive have gone through in the fight to give accurate and reliable information to our news hungry public. Let us remember people like the late Harry Yansaneh and the recent manhandling of our colleagues by no less a person than the Sierra Leone police. I believe this should be a moment for us to think back and plan for our future as media practitioners, not a time to hate, fight or destroy the image of our fellow journalists because we think he or she is not in our camp.

Another very crucial point I would like to shed light on here is the issue of gossiping and backbiting among SLAJ members. It is a shame for a journalist to backbite his or her colleague just in the name of electioneering. It is clear that this election is important but that should not warrant backbiting and gossiping. Our profession is as honorable as that of doctors and lawyers and for this reason, the media is described as the fourth estate, an august status we need to protect. Please let us play mature politics and be role models that we are suppose to be. Let the would- be executives take this job as a religious job because at the end of the day, they would not be receiving monthly salaries except for the fame and opportunities attached to it and to add laurels to one' s CV.

Most of us have never benefited from the many opportunities coming for journalists through SLAJ, but that does not warrant anyone to rebel, hate or gossip those that have been enjoying the opportunity. It is our right to vote for the candidates of our choice and not even editors should dictate the candidate his or her subordinates should vote for.

Some candidates will even go the extra mile to pay yearly subscription for journalists with the intent of soliciting votes, but that is not democratic. We preach it but most of us don't practice it. We criticize politicians for dirty politicking, yet we as journalists are doing the worse.

In a civilized democratic setting the appropriate way to get power is to campaign by lobbying and presenting policies that would bring in positive change rather than buying votes.

Such practices seem absurd, archaic and will not take the association anywhere. Journalists should campaign and make friends, build bridges and see what will happen in their political strides.

Nevertheless, the issue of campism is meant to shatter love and unity existing in the association and will not augur well for the profession. My appeal is, every candidate should campaign for him or herself. I know most of the candidates are zestful and determined to win so why lean on somebody else's shoulder to muster support? It is a simple matter for one to sell one self by presenting SMART policies that will incur more votes.

Finally let us stop condemning our colleagues because we think we are the only capable persons for the position. We aught to be practicing modern democracy that requires entertaining different opinions. It should not be a one man show, let alone a matter of selection but an election. Our policies maybe different but we are all fighting for a common goal which is the development and betterment of the media world in Sierra Leone. Castigating each other will not help but only aggravate an already critical situation.

My final advice is that let us all vote wisely and stop the hate politicking. I wish u all candidates' good luck. If you are not fortunate to win, embrace the winner and join hands for the good of all journalists in our nation.