Government of Sierra Leone
Press Release
It is noted that the New Vision newspaper has published a retraction of a story in which they had alleged that the President had spent over one million dollars in trips to African countries alone. This followed the verdict by the Independent Media Commission, after finding out that the newspaper had published false and malicious information, asking the editors to publish a retraction, pay a fine of five hundred thousand leones, and write a letter of apology to the President.
Here is the full retraction published as a lead story in the front-page of the New Vision’s Monday June 30 2008 edition:
PRES. KOROMA DID NOT SPEND US$1.02M FLYING
The Editorial Team of New Vision newspaper has accepted the outcome of the Complaints Committee of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) in which we were found guilty of publishing wrong information relating to our lead story on Friday May 2, 2008 with the caption “Wasteful... President Koroma lavishes $1.02m Flying”.
Speaking to the Editorial staff on Friday, Editor Sheikh M. Bawoh said New Vision will comply with the instruction of the IMC and is prepared to make a fulsome retraction. He said the Managing Editor A.B.S. Massaquoi though not in town at the moment had already acknowledged that the information contained in the story is wrong.
On that note, New Vision admits that the figures as stated on Friday May 2, 2008 were exaggerated and not accurate. The President did not spend that huge amount on African trips as reported. We regret any inconveniences the publication may have caused the President.
The letter of apology has however not been received yet.
THE PRESS SECRETARIAT, STATE HOUSE
07 JULY 2008
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