President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Sahr Morris Jr has called on his membership and colleague sports journalists to engaged in responsible sports reporting.
In his address, the SWASAL President said: “Let us also note that responsible reporting reduces violence, infighting and others vices and create healthy, respectful entertainment.”
He said, for Sports Journalists and Sports Journalism in Sierra Leone, this year is always a very special one because it continued to be a year that they look back on how far they’ve come, adding that last year tested their resolve in all aspects, professionalism, dedication, challenges with the new trend and above all ethics as a professional.
“As we celebrate this year under the official theme: ” “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers” I want us all as Sports Journalists in Sierra Leone to ask ourselves are we really ensuring Sports in Sierra Leone helps to build bridges, and breaking barriers? How far are we championing the cause of sports as a tool to build bridges, to break barriers? If our answers are negative then we need to embrace our responsibilities, uphold our integrity, ethics, and our guiding principles for a positive values in sports growth and development in Sierra Leone.”
“In our beloved country, Sierra Leone, Sport have acted and continue to act as a powerful unifying mechanism, while sports journalism serves as the storytelling engine that amplifies social unity, breaks down regional prejudices, and drives community inclusion.
He urged all not to only report or cover scores, the actions let but to help through the profession in changing the narrative from Association, stakeholders and fans conflict to development beyond the venues or the pitch.
“Let start by balancing our reports in showcasing sports as a viable socio economic career path for athletes, change the mind set of people in doing so we can be able to help break barrier of poverty amongst others. As SWASAL members, I encourage all to strictly follow the SWASAL Code of Ethics, this will help us combat corruption, administrative malpractice in sports associations and help build trust and sports development in Sierra Leone.”
Let us also note that responsible reporting reduces violence, infighting and others vices and create healthy, respectful entertainment.