‘Tis the season…

I’ve asked around… and there has never been snow in Freetown. There has never been a Cmas Eve visit down a chimney from the Coca-Cola version of Santa Claus. There are no reindeer. No pond or side street has ever frozen over for an impromptu game of hockey. There’s no ice on the streets – except in the freezers of Freetown’s supermarkets. No one’s shovelling his or her driveways. No one has to scrape the windows of their cars in the morning. The airport has never been “snowed-in”. I don’t see houses decorated with Cmas lights. And, the idea of a snowman is a distant “Hollywood-style” movie recollection…

Sierra Leone is an interesting place to be for the holidays. People are excited… and the mood on the street has definitely changed. There are more people around – those that arrived from the UK or the US before they shut Heathrow and family from the provinces who’ve come to visit relatives in the big city. There’s more traffic. There are more trader stalls on the roads – adding to the congestion, of course. The many Christian churches have ramped up their services. “The Church of the Flaming Battleaxe Evangelical Prophetic Bible Word of the Risen God” (or something similar) is holding services at the National Stadium starting at midnight and running till 5:00 a.m. Shiny garlands of silver, red and gold overflow the baskets that street sellers carry on their heads. One can buy a used string of Cmas lights while sitting in one’s car or taxi from young men in shorts and t-shirts. And, I even saw a Cmas pudding for sale in one of the markets… (“best before” date – sometime in 2009, which might be dangerous)

There isn’t the mass hysteria of shopping, running around picking up last minute gifts, pressure, consumerism, stress, etc. And, I didn’t hear my first Cmas carol till well into December. Right now… three days before Cmas, I can listen to school-age children singing carols in the church around the corner from my apartment. I watch the parade of decorated, honking cars gliding through traffic signalling another wedding ceremony. I smile when a market woman wishes me “season’s greetings”. I’ve attended the first ever SLBC Winter Carnival. And, I enjoy a very bad brass band (think grade seven band class) tinker and blast their way through a rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful” as they stroll from house to house in my neighbourhood.

I’ve been asking around about Sierra Leonean Cmas traditions… and it seems there are a few. The first response to my informal survey, of course, is the idea of spending time with family. Cmas day is about staying at home, eating jollof rice, pepper soup and maybe some fish or chicken if one can afford it. Many people will watch movies – available from the copyright pirates on the streets. And, most people will rest…

It seems some tribes also have different traditions. My Krio friends, for example, will visit with large extended families on Boxing Day. Some of my Mende friends will do a project together like adding blocks to a building, painting gates or renovating a compound wall. And many of my Temne friends will travel to their villages in the provinces taking provisions and supplies that aren’t otherwise available.

Interestingly, I’ve been given a number of Cmas cards… with pictures of snow-covered, evergreen trees, Santa Claus, Cmas wreaths and even one with a decorated Cmas tree in front of a fireplace surrounded by presents. I can’t help but think these are Hallmark hand-me-downs or dollar store cast offs. Of course, the poetic, religious verses and ever-present references to “persperidy, famelee and gud helth” are always “interesting” to read.

The tribe of ex-pats, development workers, UN staff, and NGO folks have generally ducked out of the country returning to their homes in the UK, US, or Europe for Cmas. Flights, when they could get out of London and in to/out of Sierra Leone were fully booked… and the airport and helipad were abuzz with English-speaking, “pink” people.

I miss some things about our Canadian Cmas season… the snow, seeing my breath as I dash between the heated house to a frigid car, watching “Grapes/Cherry” on Hockey Night in Canada, the decorations, visiting and sharing dinner with friends, a snowfall at night under a full moon, warm fires in a stone fireplace and family, of course. What I’ll miss most on Cmas day is the traditional turkey dinner – with mashed sweet potato, gravy, green beans and Brussels sprouts… Mom’s dinners were always outstanding.

While I’m missing some things… I’m learning about and living with so many others. Sierra Leone is a very friendly, open and invigorating place to be – despite the lack of hockey, maple syrup, ice-covered lakes, snowy lanes and parkas. This Cmas season will feature hot pepper soup, cassava leaf stew, rice, rest and some time with good friends. What more could a guy hope for – for Cmas?

Merry Cmas to all and to all a good night...
Yours
S/

Greetings...

Hello folks... Sorry for the disappearing act. I've been busy - to understate the obvious. Things in Sierra Leone are still pretty crazy, fascinating, frustrating awesome and sometimes just plain unimaginable.

But, I'm still here... and still trying my best. You'll notice a couple - three new posts, which I'll direct you to - down there on the right. I'll continue to update things - when I can, if I can, however I can... depending on...

Hope all's well,

I remain your humble servant,
S/

On public service broadcasting...

Public broadcasters encourage access to and participation in all aspects of public life. They develop knowledge, broaden horizons and enable people to better understand themselves by better understanding the world and others.

Public service broadcasting is a meeting place – where all citizens are welcome and considered equals. It is an information and education tool, accessible to all and meant for all, whatever their social or economic status. Public service broadcasting ensures the public’s right to receive a wide diversity of independent and non-partisan information and ideas. Its mandate is to promote information exchanges and cultural development. It can also help to promote a sense of national identity, foster democratic and other important social values and serve the needs of minority and other specialized interest groups. Public broadcasting must also appeal to the imagination, and entertain. And it does so with the utmost concern for quality broadcasting.

The challenge for the public service broadcaster is to place the audience at the centre of its universe. The audience comes first. This includes believing and trusting in the audience. It means engaging with the audience through different programs but also engaging in direct dialogue with them, being close to their minds and hearts, knowing their priorities, helping them understand the decisions that are made and defending their right to information.

There’s no single international standard or set of guidelines when it comes to public service broadcasting but at least six characteristics have emerged over the years.

1. Universality – services are available and accessible to the entire population in terms of content (languages) and technology, be it radio or television.

2. Diversity – offering a broad program range providing a consistent level of technical and editorial quality that’s educational and informative. Diversity in programming ensures that the public has access to information about a wide variety of issues and concerns.

3. Independence from both the State and commercial interests - programming decisions should be made on the basis of professional criteria, news value and the public’s right to know, rather than by pressure from political or commercial interests.

4. Impartiality of programs - Impartiality is closely related to independence. A public service broadcaster does not promote a certain position or support a particular political party. Exceptions to this impartiality guideline are made on important development issues such as health, education, security and democratic principles.

5. Concern for national identity and culture – in part, the role of public service broadcasters is to build a sense of national identity, belonging and participation. All cultures, past and present, tribes and ethnicities should be reflected in the multicultural nature of broadcasting in Sierra Leone.

6. Financed directly by the public – public service broadcasters must maintain their independence and focus on the public interest. Funding must be public and not tied to editorial decisions or political persuasions. Public broadcasters must be open, transparent and accountable.

Public service broadcasters should also be setting standards – offering a higher standard of journalism, production, programming and editorial content, which contributes to media development throughout the community.

There are some clear and succinct ideas, which can be made about public service broadcasting:

• It is for everyone
• It has a cultural value
• It guarantees a fuller choice
• It serves citizens not shareholders
• Its character is reflected in comprehensive schedules, not in individual programs
• It reflects and supports democracy.

Thus, the programming schedules of a public broadcaster must have:

• news, which is independent, comprehensive and authoritative
• a commitment to current affairs and investigative programming
• a range of documentary programs
• drama which reflects the reality of life in the community
• entertainment which also reflects the reality and interests of people
• sport, as an important part of the cultural expression of the people
• programming for children, recognizing their particular needs and concerns
• educational content
• material which reflects the differences of urban and rural life and addresses regional distinctiveness
• acknowledgement of the traditions and beliefs of the audience
• recognition and active reflection of the language traditions among the people

Trying to keep things "public"

S/

Out with the old and in with the new…

The “rescue team” of thirty-five active, young volunteers – men and women – clambered out of the poda-podas (converted mini-vans) sporting white t-shirts reading “Support SLBC” early on Saturday morning (October 16th). Armed with brooms, dustpans, shovels and enthusiasm, their tools were put to good use in SLBC’s first ever “clean-and-tidy”. And, this “big sweep” was long overdue.

Gbanabom Hollowell, SLBC’s Director General, organized a cleaning tour de force with local NGO “Big Brotha/Big Sista” to unload, unpack, route out and sweep, tidy and get-rid-of the years of accumulated junk that has laid dormant for up to thirty years in the hallowed halls, unused store rooms, dilapidated studios and crowded offices of SLBC.

The dust flew. Unused, locked doors were burst open. Dark, dilapidated darkrooms were flooded with light. Years of decay were peeled back… revealing hundreds of broken televisions, fractured freezers, scrapped tech-junk, speakers with missing parts, crates, equipment shells, broken cameras, inoperative mixers, failed wiring and tons of scrap… junk… clutter… garbage… litter and waste!

It’s a new era at SLBC. This clean up will hopefully symbolize a newfound attitude. SLBC will no longer be a depository for waste and stale thinking. It’s time for freshness – in thinking, programming, staffing, journalism and professionalism. Out with the old and in with the new…

“Elvis is in the building…” Welcome Gbanabom!

Gbanabom (Elvis) Hallowell was officially welcomed to the fold at SLBC as the new, permanent, Board approved, presidentially appointed Director General on October 1, 2010. After months of application forms, interviews, “politicking”, review committees and appointment processes, Gbanabom’s presence is a very welcome sign that things are moving forward in the transition of state-owned SLBS to the public broadcaster SLBC. Signs of progress can be few and far between but this giant step is hugely significant.

Gbanabom is a Sierra Leonean with many years experience in the media. He’s a writer, poet, musician, activist, lecturer and political commentator. He’s been around the block, as they say. He’s lead NGOs, social movements, activist organizations and human rights groups. He’s very well known throughout the country and comes from a long line of teachers and commentators.

Gbanabom started his educational career here in Sierra Leone, moved to the U.S. to pursue degrees and masters programs and now he’s a PhD candidate. He’s written at least two books that I know of… and so many newspaper columns I’ve lost count. He’s taught thousands of students and continues to give public lectures on leadership, development and the media in Sierra Leone. He’s politically astute. He’s genuine. He’s smart. And, he’s very well connected.

I should add that Gbanabom is my former boss at JHR-Journalists for Human Rights and I consider him to be a good friend. His new job won’t be easy… and there will be significant challenges. But, I’m very pleased to be working alongside him once again.

Content is king...

Knight Fellowship Blog - Number One

Content is still king...

They (the techie-geeks and widget-wacks) talk about the internet being “in the clouds” but really the words and pictures we put online/out-there are as immoveable as stone. They will last. They will outlive us. People far-and-wide will read them. Societies will be affected by them… and they will make a difference.

From words carved in stone to papyrus scrolls and then to moveable type, words and pictures have travelled and evolved. What remains is the fact that what we – as journalists and now as Knight International Journalism Fellows – produce will bring substantial impact to our respective host countries. Think of cave paintings in South Africa… Think of sacred scrolls from the Nile River area… They still exist! Why, because content is king – what we write or broadcast is the most important piece of this communications evolution. How we disseminate our material is almost immaterial.

In 2010, we can uplink, upload/download, e-send, e-think and transmit faster than the blink of an eye – in some parts of the world. Egypt, Malaysia and possibly Peru come to mind. Sierra Leone, Malawi and Haiti are different stories.

In Sierra Leone, a neighbourhood blackboard listing headlines of the day is one way of transmitting information. Mobile phone calls between family members tell stories of success and sickness. Battery-powered radios are gathering points for political debate. Internet cafés (when they work) are hubs for Diaspora and distant family connections.

The integral element of any communication whether electronic or analogue is what the message contains and the relationship between sender and receiver.

The 2010 Knight International Journalism Fellows, whether via satellite, e-communications, radio waves or newsprint, are bringing the world together – one story at a time. This will make a difference – just as the stone tablet and parchment collections did thousands of years ago.