By Mohamed J. Kargbo
Dignities& members for SLCRA posing for photo
The Sierra Leone Court Reporters Association (SLCRA) held its first general meeting in 17 years at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court in Freetown.
The meeting, themed “The Role of Court Reporting in Enhancing Judicial Accountability,” brought together dignitaries and members to discuss the significance of court reporting in the justice system.
Speaking at the event, Justice Momoh-Jah Steven highlighted the crucial role court reporters play as intermediaries between the judiciary and the public. He commended them for their work in covering civil and criminal proceedings but urged them to uphold professionalism and accuracy in their reporting.
“Report only what is said in court. Adding anything beyond what is heard can amount to contempt of court, which carries serious consequences,” Justice Steven cautioned. He also reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with SLCRA to ensure the public receives accurate and transparent judicial reporting.
SLCRA President Salifu I. B. Conteh emphasized the need for specialized training in legal matters such as bail procedures, sentencing policies, and the new Criminal Procedure Act. He called on the judiciary to facilitate such training to help court reporters improve their work and avoid legal pitfalls.
Conteh also expressed his desire for SLCRA to gain greater recognition and be formally invited to all judicial functions. “We want to record and report our own stories, not plagiarize. We are court reporters,” he asserted. He reminded his colleagues that court reporters are not social media influencers or citizen journalists and should adhere to professional standards.
Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Secretary General Alhaji Manika Kamara congratulated SLCRA on successfully convening its first general meeting. He noted that the event was made possible through funds allocated from the government’s annual subvention to SLAJ. Kamara also encouraged court reporters to formalize their SLAJ membership, as leadership positions within SLCRA require affiliation with the parent body.
SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, in his goodwill remarks, thanked the judiciary for supporting SLCRA and called for stronger collaboration between the judiciary and SLAJ to promote responsible and professional court reporting. As he prepares to conclude his tenure, he expressed gratitude for the trust and support received from court reporters throughout his five-year presidency.
The AGM concluded with a review of the SLCRA Constitution, led by lawyer Edward Ishmail Saidu Kanu of Davies & Dainkeh Law Firm.
