The Media Fraternity of Sierra Leone is mourning the death of the Proprietor of the Independent Observer Newspaper, Journalist Ambassador Jonathan Leigh.
His death came after a short illness, got admitted and was pronounced dead on Saturday April 9, 2022, at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown.
Jonathan Leigh was the first Managing Editor of the Independent Observer Newspaper which he co-founded in August 1997, a very turbulent moment in the country’s political history.
The Independent Observer was established three months after the overthrowing of the first democratically elected government by dissenting soldiers. The Independent Observer was among few local tabloids that openly opposed the takeover.
After the 2018 elections, President Julius Maada Bio appointed him as Deputy Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany but was later recalled.
Leigh was known for his elegant dress code.
“This is a great loss to the media fraternity in Sierra Leone, Jonathan Leigh was a true professional. Our sincere sympathy goes to the bereaved family and may God have mercy upon his soul,” President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said.