As we continue to be the leaders of the pack in terms of opinions, commentaries and editorials that speak on issues of governance with the propensity to either better or worsen our collective lot as Sierra Leoneans, Nightwatch newspaper enjoys the unenviable accusation that we are against the sitting government of Sierra Leone as headed by our leader and president, Retired Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio.
This news medium has been accused by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) of not being objective in our takes on plans and actions of the government, even on such plans and issues aimed at bettering our lot. In effect, it is as if we never have anything good to say about President Bio and the ruling SLPP. It may be recalled that during the regime of Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, we were also accused of being with the SLPP.
Far from that, this medium would like to categorically state that as citizens of this great country, we have the right like anybody to belong to any political party of our choice. But in the interest of ensuring a level playing field and allowing objectivity to prevail, no employee of Nightwatch newspaper is allowed to preach party rhetoric over this medium.
That said, as reporters/journalists, we don’t make up the stories we report. The news makes itself; no one creates the news. So when anyone including public servants does something, we are there to report. This scenario is similar to what auditors do: they don’t cook the figures; they are instead given the figures or records by those being audited. After using set procedures to arrive at their conclusions, no one should blame the auditor for what the records say. He or she is just a reporter.
Although this medium has been called an All People’s Congress (APC) newspaper, we are constraint to say that it isn’t. This paper has employees that are members of the leading parties, as is their right, but none of them are allowed to promote partisan politics in their reporting. Where that appears to be the case, our editors go on the defensive all in the name of objectivity and playing a neutral role in our national politics.
The critical aspect of opinions and commentaries are a whole different affair. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion as long as they don’t elicit lawsuits against this medium. Such pieces are not solicited; their authors submit them to the proprietor or managing editor, who after perusing such works, share them with the editorial team. Such works are published after we ensure that nothing of libel or that will bring about a lawsuit or invitation by the Independent Media Commission is included.
Nightwatch is in support of any Sierra Leonean that ascends the seat of the presidency. It would be foolhardy for any citizen to wish that his or her president fails: if the president fails, the country fails. And if the country fails then we all fail. This medium is in support of any plan or action by the ruling party or any political party that is in line with the hopes and aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone. Conversely it is against anything, plan or action that is against the people of this great but financially hard-up country. We praise leadership when it does something praiseworthy and decry any plan or action that is against set procedures and the people that form the government of Sierra Leone. Whatever decision from Tower Hill or State House will affect us all, whether you are a ruling partisan or not.
Let it go down on record that this medium is open to publish any material from any political party as long as it meets our editorial policy or scrutiny. Sierra Leone’s democracy is at a critical crossroads where our presidents and ruling parties are expected to perform or show results of their five year stewardship that should act as reasons for them being reelected. We will not stand by and watch regional, tribal or partisan politics get in the way of sound leadership decisions, plans and or actions.
Therefore we expect our leaders to do their jobs in the service of the people of Sierra Leone. We are not respecters of persons; we treat everyone the same and have the same expectations of them: DO YOUR JOB! This news medium is not in the business of yellow journalism or news for sensationalism. Instead we are for news, plans and actions that put the interest of the nation over any party or individual.
The time has come for politicians to stop complaining and do their jobs. You are in Parliament or State House to work in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone. You write the checks, we check the balances. We are not for or against anybody, except what is in the best interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
This medium thrives on integrity, which we hope all our leaders would inculcate. Then, they will do their jobs without care for how anyone sees it as it would have been done with the right motive or intention.