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Public debate today is livelier, more energetic and better informed than it has ever been.  Newspapers, radio and TV report on issues of importance to Salones: the successes, the failures, the strengths and the weaknesses of their government; the progress made – or not – in returning this country to the prosperity and stability that it used to enjoy; the day-to-day life of a country struggling, like we all do, to make its way in a difficult world.

Looking ahead, I see two huge challenges for the Sierra Leone media. I hope that these will be seized with enthusiasm, energy and resolve to build a better society for all Salones:

Firstly, in 2011 Sierra Leone celebrates the 50^th anniversary of its independence. This will provide an opportunity for reflection on what it means to be Salone, what experience has taught Salones and what they want their country to be like in another 50 years.

As Salones become ever more literate, more informed, more connected to the outside world through trade, media, and travel, and more able to communicate easily with each other, you have a unique opportunity to strengthen that sense of national identity and set of common values I mentioned just now. I hope that everyone here tonight is thinking about how the media can play a constructive role in this important process.

             Cast your minds back 2007. For weeks, thousands of people walked around with their radios fixed to their ears. Media reporting, analysis and comment formed, followed, coloured and help to shape the cut and thrust of the campaign. On the day itself, live radio broadcasts of the results electrified the capital. The outcome was reported all over the world. Sierra Leone was literally on the world’s agenda that day. And Sierra Leone stood as a beacon of democracy in a trouble region.

Recent history has shown that politics has a dark side too. A repeat of the positive 2007 experience cannot be taken for granted. Widespread unemployment among young men has set a stage that can all too easily turn violent. We all know what happened in March last year and that irresponsible radio broadcasting played a role in encouraging violence. When passions run high during the heat of political campaigning, as they will, a return to the dark days of March is possible if we don’t work together to prevent it.

I congratulate the leaders of the political parties, who have wisely signed a Joint Communiqué setting out how they will work together to prevent a reoccurrence of violence between their members. I applaud the government, the IMC, the NEC, the PPRC, the HRC and especially the journalists of SLAJ, who are working together to the same end. And I stand ready, with the rest of the international community, to help with technical and financial support.

I am sure that everyone here, with all your friends, colleagues and employees will work to ensure that media coverage of the election is robust and frank, and that it is also fair and responsible so that it encourages every Salone to understand that these elections are elections for everyone, that successful elections are a success for everyone, and that troubled elections will bring trouble for everyone.