By Ibrahim Mansaray

SLAJ President “Worried” over Increasing Harassment of Journalist in Sierra Leone

The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, says he is worried over increasing harassment of journalists in Sierra Leone. Nasralla, who was speaking to Liberty Tv, was commenting on the last two encounters between media practitioners and state officials.

On January 10, 2025, a statement from Parliament announced that the Speaker, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, had barred journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray from accessing the precinct of Parliament. The decision, which the House said was as a result of “reckless journalism” relates to Mansaray’s expression of his opinion on the recent removal of the Auditor-General, Lara Taylor-Pearce, from office. Parliament also said they will be summoning Mansaray to face their Ethics Committee, and will “hand down the necessary punishment.”

Before Mansaray’s banning, SLAJ also had to settle an issue between the Editor of Salone Times Newspaper, Thomas Dixon and the Police boss, William Fayia Sellu. Dixon had been in hiding for a couple of days after he allegedly received a text from Sellu saying he had “crossed the red line.”

The two events follow a string of harassment of journalists, including arrest, detention and cyberbullying. Nasralla said it is very worrying especially when these issues involve top state officials.

He furthered that these issues “dent” the government’s show of commitment to press freedom which ushered in legal reforms. These include the repeal of the Criminal Libel law in 2020, a move many people believe was not only good for press freedom, but also transitional justice efforts. For over 50 years the law was used to suppress media freedom and imprison journalists. The government also shows further commitment to press freedom through annual subvention to SLAJ and a presidential media cocktail.

Other members of the government have also defended the government’s commitment to press freedom. At a panel discussion held on World Press Freedom 2024, organised by SLAJ and the US Embassy in Freetown, Deputy Information Minister, Bockarie Bawoh, offered an apology to Journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah who had been bullied online by supporters of the government for doing his job. Bawoh, however, said the action does not reflect the position of the government as the targeting was not done by any state institution.

Albeit this, Nasrallah said the way the government and its supporters handle criticism sends a “chilling effect” that frightens journalists to do so. “This shrinks our space and undermines press freedom,” he said.

“Extremely Worrying”
Marcus Bangura, an activist and a journalist, describes the recent trend as “extremely worrying”. Commenting from his organisation, Citizens’ Forum for Democratic Accountability’s point of view, he said limiting press freedom erodes and eats into democracy and accountability. SLAJ expressed a similar view in a statement, voicing concern over Parliament’s decision to ban Mansaray from entering its precinct.

The Association said the decision sets “a dangerous precedent that could erode public trust in the commitment of Parliament to transparency and accountability.

Bangura asserted that the targeting of journalists has a ripple effect. “It deprives the public of information,” he said. In his opinion, suppressing journalists reflects an unwillingness to accept criticism, which he said is vital in shaping up the government.

In his article, “The Sierra Leone Media in 2025”, Isaac Massaquoi, a veteran journalist and lecturer at the University of Sierra Leone, described the media as being “in a deep crisis”. He outlined a myriad of problems the media faces including the decline in advertising revenue due to the increasing preference for sophisticated tools like social media and attitudes of advertisers.

The government also contributes to this problem. Massaquoi highlighted the delay of government ministries, departments and agencies to pay for advertising which has forced many outlets to write off debts. “When the biggest advertisers behave in this way, they can be easily accused of weaponizing advertising to the disadvantage of our industry,” he wrote.
The Cyber Law
The Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021 is another legislation which journalists, including Nasrallah, believe is a rebirth of the Libel law. Bangura described it as “dangerous”. Although the law has not been used to clamp down on journalists, it has had wider implications on freedom of speech online.

Hawa Hunt, a Sierra Leonean-Canadian social media personality, was recently denied bail in her trial for alleged cyber stalking of the President and First Lady. There have been wider appeals for her release, but to no avail yet. Before that, Joy Bayoh, a female lawyer, was also arrested and detained for alleged cyber stalking of the president.

In SLAJ’s position on freedom of speech and of the press captured in the Media Reform Coordinating Group’s Thirteenth Edition of the Press Freedom Report, the association said her detention “highlighted a troubling trend for free expression in Sierra Leone.” “Her case raised serious concerns about the application of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021, in ways that threaten the civic space,” SLAJ said.

In 2023, Engage Salone, a media company, also asserted in an editorial that the state failed in guaranteeing freedom of expression. This was in the wake of the detention of popular singer, Zainab Sheriff on allegations of cyber stalking the president.

Members of the opposition have also been charged on similar grounds.

The Need for Legal Reform
Nasralla, the SLAJ president, said there is a need for legal reforms in ensuring the safety of journalists. The body faces accusations that it has been compromised by the annual subvention from the government, reducing the extent of its advocacy for the safety of its members.

But Nasrallah denied these allegations, citing actions they have taken when journalists have come under attack. Noting that the statements they issue are not enough, Nasrallah said SLAJ is pushing for the enactment of laws that protect journalists.

“We are fighting for the provisions that recognise press freedom, freedom of expression and others, to be justiciable, so we can take actions against (those who trample upon them).