BEWARE THE SEWER RATS PRETENDING TO BE TRAINED AND QUALIFIED JOURNALISTS

Recent events and reports would seem to indicate that true journalists - the qualified and trained - have been having quite a hard time trying not to be associated with sewer rats parading themselves (with some actually believing they are) as members of the Fourth Estate.

As the present Information minister I B Kargbo can readily confirm, this thing called journalism is not as simple as those outside would be tempted to think. When you get trained, then you come to appreciate just how proud it is to wear the badge that describes you as a journalist.

(Or take a friendly piece of advice from those in the Tejan Kabbah administration who thought and actually believed that they knew all about programme planning and presentation at the SLBS!!!!!!)

Gone are the days of the cub reporter and what one notices nowadays is that the term Editor, Editor-in-Chief and such like labels are easily attached as one would decide on the apparel to be worn on a particular day. And quite recently has come a new title that appears and looks good - Chief Executive Officer!!!!

And by the time you know it a "reporter" filing stories of interest to self-created Editors are actually titled "Bureau Chiefs" with nothing resembling an office, no modern-day news-gathering equipment - absolutely nothing close to a bureau!!!!!

True journalists would be appalled if not petrified to see just how much trash now passes for "articles" with unsubstantiated and wishful thinking metamorphosing into "facts". And in the midst of it all comes another more terrible hydra-headed beast - the laybelleh syndrome better known as sycophancy bordering on the arcane and sheer madness.

It is a wonder, if not a really eye-popping experience to read about a simple, wonderful and God-fearing woman, the wife of the President referred to as "Her Excellency". Indeed!!!!!

But this is not new in the realm of the yaylibas, the praise singers who would say all the best things while they (the post holders) are in office and would be the next to shout "crucify" when things go sour.

During the reign of the NPRC, the outfit that kicked out the uncaring APC monster in April 1992 and for which the khaki boys have never been forgiven its die-hard members, there was a young man who was the second in command to one Captain Valentine Strasser.

As was the rule of the civil service, some key offices like that of the President, Vice President, Finance and others had press officer attached and these were professionals from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. One such experienced journalist was attached to SAJ Musa and in no time, the SLBS started broadcasting news items calling the wife of SAJ Musa, the Second Lady. Upon enquiry, this poor fellow wanted to defend this strange behaviour until he was reminded that there was no such provision in titles reserved for the wives of state functionaries. And that was how the Second Lady title was laid to rest.

Poor Mrs Sia Koroma would be scratching her head and wondering just what she has got herself into. The Sierra Herald never knew that she now has a Communication Unit that could come out with a statement beginning thus

"Her Excellency Sia Nyama Koroma has read with dismay the front page of the New Vision of Thursday June 12^th 2008 with the caption "Political Intimidation...."

Not to worry Ma'am. You have just entered uncharted territory and the number of gbatolites and "advisers" that will surround you is just the tip of the iceberg for below the surface are things in human form who would be ready to sell their soul for filthy lucre. Self-seeking money and influence-worshipping vampires whose wretched past easily gets exposed with a little bit of investigation.

ENDPIECE: The sewer rats passing themselves off as "journalists" may well be aware of the several pieces of advice the Sierra Herald had written in the past about what they spew with reckless abandon on the internet. They would no doubt be aware of a recent court matter in the United Kingdom. They could have seen it and yet pretend that they have not. You can be held liable for the garbage at your doorstep!!!!

So beware and resist the temptation for falsehood!!!!!

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