Coordinator of the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), Abu Bakarr Kamara has called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Media to serve as watchdogs on the utilization of public debts.
In his statement, Kamara said that Public debt is not a bad thing but of concern is the use of such debt.
He urged the Media and Civil Society Organizations to start looking at how public debts are being used, adding that the media and CSOs should try to track public debts through research and data analysis.
Tracking public debts through investigative reporting help to enhance evidence-based discussion among citizens he said.
He revealed that domestic debt is easy to pay while other debts take over ten years and more.
He continued that accurate reporting on public debts prevent fiscal crises adding that early identification and understanding public debts help the public to hold authorities accountable.
He called on the media and civil society organizations to hold government officials accountable for public debts nothing that they should provide evidence to support their claims in reporting on public debts.
He disclosed that Civil Society Organizations and the media can act as vital watchdogs by demanding transparency, raising public awareness and influencing policy reforms based on solid evidence.
We should also take political dynamics of the state into consideration in reporting on public debts, he said.
He called on the media to do proper research on public debts before engaging public officials.
Debt payment is taking huge aspects from our revenue and the country needs critical minds like you to question public officials on public debts management.
He continued that investigative reporting play key role in reporting complex issues on public debts and help to translate data into accessible stories and visual and help to simply technical content for a broader audience.
He called on the Media to expose inconsistencies and potential mismanagement in tracking public debts.
He revealed that political resistance has served as a pushback from authorities reluctancy to share data.
He cautioned journalists to know how to interpret complex data when reporting public debts.
Journalists should be vigilant in identifying reliable sources like government documents and reputable international organizations.
Open data sourcing can help journalists to track public debts and ensure that referenced public documents are credible sources, he highlighted.
In his statement the Managing Editor of Fritong Post Newspaper, Lawrence Williams urged the Ministry of Finance to allow public disclosure of public debts in order to enhance transparency and accountability in public debts management.
He called on journalists to research and analyze data in reporting issues around public debts and also pointed out that journalists usually face challenges when reporting on public debts, adding that public officials should provide accurate information to journalists to ensure transparency in reporting public debts.
He encouraged journalists to use public documents and accurate documents from reputable international organizations in reporting on public debts.
He continued that the media has played significant role in holding public officials to account and urged donor partners to fund fellowships for journalists in order to teach them how to research and analyze public documents, noting that journalists urgently need training to improve on their reporting skills.
He expressed thanks and appreciation to Budget Advocacy Network and partners for organizing training for journalists and civil society organizations, noting that it will help promote transparency and accountability in public debts management.
