Press Gallery Trained On Parliamentary Reporting
By Gibrilla Kamara
In a landmark step to strengthen media–parliament relations, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on 22 October 2025 hosted a one-day training session for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery on the theme “Enhancing Parliamentary Journalism for Effective Democratic Governance.” The training took place in Committee Room 1 at the Parliament Building in Freetown.
Opening the session, the Clerk of Parliament, Karmoh Conteh, underscored the media’s vital role in promoting transparency, accountability, and public awareness of parliamentary work. He commended journalists for their continued contributions to democracy and urged them to report responsibly and accurately, in line with parliamentary laws and procedures.
Mr. Conteh further applauded President Julius Maada Bio for repealing Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965, describing the move as a major boost to press freedom and democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Gilbert Bosco N’habay, also stressed the importance of professionalism in parliamentary reporting and called for stronger collaboration between the media and Parliament to ensure accurate and balanced coverage of legislative proceedings.
In her remarks, Madam Feima Sesay, Interim President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, expressed appreciation to Parliament for organizing the training. She emphasized that parliamentary journalism goes beyond event reporting — it requires deep understanding, accuracy, and context to inform the public about the workings of the legislature. She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting professional growth and unity among press members during her tenure.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Manika Kamara, lauded Parliament’s efforts in building a more informed press corps. He encouraged more training opportunities to strengthen ethical and effective reporting from the legislative floor.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Deputy Leader of Government Business II, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, highlighted the media’s indispensable role in fostering peace, accountability, and national development. He urged journalists to uphold integrity and objectivity in their coverage.
The session concluded with interactive discussions and training modules on parliamentary procedures, ethical journalism, and the challenges and opportunities of reporting on legislative affairs — marking another milestone in Parliament’s ongoing commitment to transparency and media empowerment