By Ragan M. Conteh
The Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma and the Opposition Leader in Parliament Hon, Chernoh Ramadan Maju Bah have expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Parliamentary Press Gallery in its persistent advocacy for the repeal of Part V of the Public Order Act that criminalized libel law that finally yielded fruit last Thursday 23rd July, 2020.
“We can’t end the debate on the repeal of the draconian law without recognizing the efforts of the Parliamentary Press Gallery to ensure that the repeal became a success,” Hon. Nyuma said.
Many of the lawmakers who contributed to the debate showered praises on the Press Gallery for its assiduity in advocating for the repeal of the obnoxious law.
Meanwhile, members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery have passionately appealed to the Rt. Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernoh Bundu and the administrative wing of Parliament to settle their impasse amicably.
According to the members, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament through the Clerk ordered the submission of the only office of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, which was established to enhance the work of journalists willingly reporting Parliamentary activities without salary or allowance from the Parliamentary Budget.
It could be recalled that when the current Clerk of Parliament assumed office, he made lofty promises to empower the Press Gallery but he has so far reneged on them given the prevailing circumstance.
The leadership of the Gallery, according to report, has either been maltreated or marginalized for what many perceived as “politically motivated.”
The Press Gallery has therefore called on the Leadership in Parliament to return the office of the Press Gallery in other to facilitate and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the press in Parliament.