By Stephen V. Lansana
In the morning hours of Friday, December 8, 2023, two foreign journalists and one local journalist were apprehended around the Central Business District area by security officials and questioned at the Cyber Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Sierra Leone Police for taking photos and footages of security officials in the line of duty in a public space without permission. Their equipment- camera, SD Card, and smartphone- were confiscated before they were released to report the following day.
In this light, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is calling on journalists to be cautious and beware of the restrictions during this heightened state of security in the country.
Foreign journalists are advised to go through the appropriate authorities to report from Sierra Leone and to respect the laws and regulations relating to their work in the country.
Furthermore, SLAJ calls on journalists to continue to be professional and responsible in the execution of their duties, in covering the investigations of the November 26 2023 attempted coup, and to support and complement the effort of the security sector in maintaining law and order, and the peace and stability of the country.
Equally, SLAJ calls on the security sector to recognize and respect the role of the media and journalists in providing correct and factual information to the public and to ensure their safety and security at all times.
SLAJ commends the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) for being transparent and for managing government information by ensuring vital information about state security and governance is now channelled through the ministry.
“I continue to advise journalists to be very cautious about their safety and security and avoid putting out unverified information about the unfolding security situation in the country. I also continue to urge citizens to be critical of the information they are receiving and be wary of disinformation and fake news. Our collective civil liberties, freedoms, and standard of living are more guaranteed under our democracy with all its shortcomings, so we must all work together to prevent, resist, and condemn any attempt to undermine Constitutional order in our country,” said SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
Meanwhile, SLAJ reiterates its absolute condemnation of the recent attempted coup, commends state security for protecting the country’s growing democracy, and at the same time appeals for a fair and transparent investigation of all those alleged to be involved.
Finally, SLAJ extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the security personnel who fell in defence of the country’s constitution, peace, and stability.