By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter, Daily Scope
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, took center stage at the International Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media in Paris, where he shared the country’s significant strides in media freedom alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and other global leaders.
Co-hosted by Presidents Macron and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, the conference aimed to address the rising threats posed by disinformation and to promote independent journalism across the globe.
Representing President Julius Maada Bio, Minister Bah highlighted Sierra Leone’s advancements under what he referred to as the President’s “information freedom agenda.” “These reforms demonstrate President Bio’s belief that democracy and trust thrive only when citizens are informed and the media operates freely and responsibly,” Bah asserted.
The Minister outlined key achievements, including the decriminalization of criminal libel, the introduction of a progressive National Information Policy, and the upcoming implementation of a Data Protection law.
A notable initiative presented was the creation of a National Fund for Public Interest Media, which Minister Bah described as a groundbreaking public-private partnership aimed at providing sustainable financial support for independent journalism.
The conference provided a platform for world leaders to reaffirm their commitment to maintaining information integrity amid the challenges of digital disruption. In his address, Minister Bah also emphasized Sierra Leone’s role as the current Chair of ECOWAS, advocating for a culture of freedom of information throughout the region.
He called for enhanced global partnerships to ensure that access to reliable and factual information remains a fundamental public good and a cornerstone of democratic societies. Minister Bah was accompanied by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to France, Mohamed Kanja Sesay.
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