By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
In order to strengthen democratic dialogue and accountability, consolidate peace and ensure development through professional, independent and sustainable media, based on the right to freedom of expression and of the press, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has reviewed and presented media freedom issues affecting practitioners in the country.
MRCG released the October Report of its Review on the 8th November, 2023.
According to the Group, it monitored an attack on the offices and staff of Hope FM 93.3 in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, by a group of thugs allegedly sent by the landlord of the premises on the 23rd October, 2023. It noted that the proprietor of the radio, Stanley Bangura told MRCG that he had reported the matter to the police.
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in its press release dated 23rd October 2023, vehemently condemned the attack and called on the authorities to do a thorough investigation and bring the culprits to book. According to the release, the attackers forcefully entered the radio station, vandalized equipment and physically manhandled the members of staff and assaulted the proprietor.
The MRCG statement further said that the North-East Regional Commander, Assistant Inspector- General (AIG) of Police Aiah Edward Samadia, also told them that the police had conducted their investigations and had sent the findings to the State Counsel, for advice on charging the matter to court.
It also reviewed the judgment delivered by the High Court of Sierra Leone regarding a civil defamation matter between the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) William F. Sellu and the Society for Radio Democracy FM 98.1 and its Producer, Alex Lawrence Koroma in July this year. It stated that the defamatory broadcast was aired on 23rd May, 2023, which is now expected to commence in November 2023 for assessment of damages.
On the matter of the Organizing Secretary of the opposition, All Peoples Congress (APC) party in Bonthe District, Robert Kamara, arraigned before Principal Magistrate Lyod Jusu of Court Number One in Bo, for allegedly insulting President Julius Maada Bio on the 4th October, 2023, it stated he was charged with 3 counts ranging from Cyber Bulling to Sending False Message by Means of Computer System and Sending Insulting Message by Means of Computer System.
It drew reference to a Section of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021 the basis under which he was charged and reported how the accused was denied bail during his first and second appearances on 4th and 9th October, 2023 and the matter adjourned to 7th November 2023.
It also analyzed on the matter of journalist Musa S. Kamara, working for Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, who reportedly received online ‘death threats’ from anonymous individuals on 20th August 2023, following the exclusive interview with the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer. It said that the Police told them that they are still investigating the matter.
It was also stated that MRCG also reviewed the matter of BBC Correspondent in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, who was attacked by supporters of the main opposition main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) during the party’s Press Conference at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on 14th June 2023.
Fofana had told the MRCG that he drew the attention of the leadership of the APC to the incident and who in turn promised to put out a press release condemning the act. MRCG said the party leadership is yet to do so. The group referenced the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yayah Tunis,as saying the matter was still under investigation.
The MRCG promised that details of the cases and issues will be published in their Bi-Annual Press Freedom Report for June to November 2023.
The monthly ‘Media Freedom Review’ is a publication by MRCG on the monitoring and reporting on freedom of expression and of the press, internet freedom, digital and online rights, and the safety and security of journalists in Sierra Leone.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (10/11/23)
