Peep Sierra Leone

The Independent Media Commission and Office of National Security have presented their budget estimate for the 2012 Fiscal year to the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building, Freetown.

Making his presentation, Mr. Terrence Knox-Goba, Chief Accountant I.M.C told his audience that the Media is one of the strongest pillars of democracy. He went on to say that the Media in the 21st century is becoming significant with the rise of Social Media therefore it needed to be regulated as the 2012 election is very close. Explaining the achievements of I.M.C in 2011, Mr. Knox-Goba said the Commission was able to establish an office in Makeni, the establishment of Media Monitoring Unit in the Secretariat and Commission is on the verge of purchasing an advanced equipment to monitor all radio stations in the country.

Furthermore, Mr. Knox-Goba gave a vivid work plan for 2012 among which are, visits to press houses in Freetown and the Provinces, Training of monitors to monitor the output of radio stations and newspapers, identification and renting of on I.M.C Regional Office in the Eastern Region and Training of Journalists in Development Communication and Election coverage. Office of National Security (ONS) charged with the responsibility to effectively Coordinate National Security and the intelligence architecture with the aim of creating an enabling environment for sustained national development, poverty reduction and conflict prevention has asked the government of Sierra Leone for Le 27 Billion Leones for 2012 - 2014 MTEF Periods.

Messer Lawrence L. Bassie and Abdulai Caulker told their audience that they need proper working vehicles to effectively cover the 2012 elections. They said the people of Sierra Leone rest their hopes in the ONS to provide Local role 2012 interms of National Security issues. Beyond 2012, they said the 27 billion will be used to make ONS fully equipped to fight against Trans regional Security threats such as Boko Haram, the emerging pirate attack in Benin and money laundering.