Concord Times (Freetown)
PEL Koroma
25 November 2008
opinion
Democracy had its toll on Saturday at the Mass Communication Department, Fourah Bay College as presidential contestants clashed over differences in policy design for the future of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists. It was a novelty, and brilliant on the side of the organizers who envisaged that our democracy has now reached a point where in the tenets should reign supreme by having transparent representations.
The event was well moderated by Gbanabom Hallowey, a renowned human right journalist.
The audience comprised mostly students of FBC as the event took place on their campus, civil society and qualified SLAJ voters. All of the contestants graciously divulged their plans as to how to move the mantle of the noble association. With barely few days to the polls, all the contestants were desperate to hammer home the issues they want to address that hinges on the welfare of the ordinary journalists and the way they would be relating with the society the journalist serve. Issues were debated ranging from human rights, ethics, perception, objectivity, compassion, accountability, integrity and moral values.
Would be voters were critical as to who really carried the day.. All the contestants played justice to the issues that were debated. On this note, few responses have been aggregated to give an insight of the way the voting would turn out after Saturday poles.
--A political scientist told me Saturday on FBC campus immediately after the debate that he was impressed with the debate. "I have been following Umaru Fofana and I know him to be an achiever. But one thing for sure is that Philip Neville added life to the debate. I honestly admired Karim Sei's maturity in handling the questions posed to him. I am a critical man and will not allow my self to be carried away by the emotions of the crowd. Nothing is different among the three candidates. They have the same subject matter and what I am looking forward to is seeing what their patterns of leadership would be."
--A registered voter of SLAJ told me that she was never carried by the noise of the audience as she believes most people present at the debate were students of FBC. "I want to believe most people who were at the debate belong to either of the camps of the contestants. Karim Sei is my man because he showed maturity at the debate. Philip Neville was emotional, while Umaru Fofana spoke with confidence which swayed the crowd, so even when he spoke out of context, they could not understand. Shouting for Umaru Fofana does not mean he will win the elections."
--- For this SLAJ voter, the debate exposed the character and intentions of the three candidates. "All of them demonstrated their plans for SLAJ. I have developed a keen interest in Umaru Fofana even though I have not made up my mind who to vote for. Umaru Fofana touched my emotions when he persistently said that he will rescue the demise of journalists, especially those who are currently receiving pittance from Newspaper proprietors. How can a journalist receive Le 25,000 in Kenema as salary? I agree with Umaru that it is inhuman and against the laws of the state. With Philip Neville, he did not show responsibility at the debate. He was too callous for my comfort especially in answering questions posed to him on journalists' welfare. His actions at the debate manifested that he will not treat our business seriously. I will not vote for Philip. In the case of Karim Sei, his actions speaks as if he does not care- 'oh if you guys like, you will
vote for me but I don't really care much' attitude angered me. I have now got a clue as to who should get my vote on Saturday"
--- In the case of this other SLAJ member I bumped into, she said she was carried away by the articulateness of Umaru Fofana. "I will vote for Umaru Fofana because he is a young handsome man and hard working. His achievement is a requisite requirement for the SLAJ presidency. He has giving me hope that the young will grow. Who said age is a qualification for experience? A young man with passion can be more experienced than a Methuselah. Umaru has the confidence and zeal to marshall the course of our association. He possesses better leadership charisma than the other candidates. He was able to convince me that he has been quitting his jobs not out of misappropriation but out of clash of principles. He has no blemish. Philip Neville failed to put me to understanding for the journalists scholarships that were offered by the Chinese but did not go to the people that deserve it. Much clarification is needed from Philip Neville."
--- How ever, another voter said; "The debate was very educative. It gave me an insight of the hopes and aspirations of the three candidates. But I am sure Umaru Fofana is on top of the other candidates if we are to go by the emotions of the audience at the debate. Umaru was able to clearly present what he intends doing for the impoverished situation of the association."
---- As far as this other SLAJ member is concerned, the debate was an eye opener to the past activities of the association and to anticipate what the future holds for the association "For understanding, cohesiveness and fraternity, Umaru Fofana is excellent. He said it all, but I wonder if he would win. Most of his supporters are the young journalists but sadly, most of them are not registered members of SLAJ. The young journalists Umaru is targeting would not be voting on Saturday. Umaru actually presented a workable manifesto that will help improve SLAJ."
---Anther SLAJ member opined that the debate is a novelty. "The candidates also expressed their honest intentions. I hope it will continue. Upholding the profession is not an easy task. We will now hold them responsible for what ever promise they have made to us. Only that Karim Sei manifested more leadership qualities. He strictly adhered to the issues than attacking personality during the debate."
--- As we moved towards FBC air port, I swift tried to speak to another voter who said that;"Philip Neville is more matured for the office. Our society is a complex one but he would be able to navigate the difficult districts of our society. The emotions of the people at the debate favored Umaru Fofana but most of the audience were students of FBC, who are easily manipulated with the eloquence of a speaker but does not understand the indebt desires of the association. Being eloquent does not make one a good leader. Philip has the know-how to deal with our society. SLAJ leadership should be aggressive as Philip is. Journalists are not liked all over the world. I want Philip because he has the ability to return fire for fire and very 'rugged'. Philip is needed to bulldoze the system. He has the potential of controlling SLAJ membership and people will listen to him. You may not like him personally but when he is there, he would surely do some thing
positive."
---A senior journalist expressed satisfaction in Umaru Fofana's leadership. "SLAJ needs a change of face. It is only Umaru that will salvage our muddy reputation. His international records will speak for him.. He has never compromised his integrity. He is pushful and very productive.. Philip Neville will give a nose dive to the association He is not respected in the society we serve. Philip is too bold on our comforts for him to say we should vote him president after he has messed up his character. Philip is more of a politician than a journalist. He has appeared before the Independent Media Commission (IMC) several times for misusing his rights. Philip is never a pace setter. All what he said he would do are mere lip service. He is not a man that one could trust. He will mortgage our profession and use his position to ask for advantage. Never again would we accept such leaders. Philip contravened the SLAJ constitution by evading the bi annual
conference. I am sure Umaru will bring credence to the profession again."
One thing that is clear is that all the contestants have vowed to protect their colleagues and fight undue disadvantage to the latter. There is now a glimmer of hope for journalists in the country. All of the contestants for the presidency have promised sealing the cleavages that has been exposing the ineptness of the association. Unity should be embraced by all means and a clear rejection to political and societal interference into the affairs of journalism would be exhibited in the future.
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