The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has, in its maiden report on the state of the media in Sierra Leone, urged Government to repeal Part V of the Seditious Libel Law and ensure that journalists across the country are safe to do their work.
The report (which mainly focusses on arrests and detention of journalists and civil society activists, guarantees freedom of expression and of the press; regulates electronic media, print media and telecommunications; regulates performance of media institutions and monitors status of media laws in Sierra Leone) has criticized the Sierra Leone government for clamping down on a number of journalists, opposition figures and civil society activists using the seditious libel law.
The Media Coordinating Group has also urged media practitioners to practice responsible journalism and always imbibe the cardinal principles of the profession in writing or airing their stories.
The report also provided an update on matters currently under police investigation, where journalists have been assaulted and beaten and urged the Sierra Leone Police to speedily investigate such matters and bring the culprits to book.
It will be recalled that the SLPP led government, which has made a campaign promise to repeal Part V of the seditious libel law, has been increasingly using it to oppress opposition figures and also incarcerate journalists.
The ongoing Seditious Libel investigation, against executive members of the All People’s Congress, relating to a press release the party’s Secretary General originated on the Three Commissions of Enquiry and the arrest of Journalist Fayia Amara Fayia and the Managing Editor of the Nightwatch Newspaper, amongst others, are cases in point to indicate that the Government is using the obnoxious law to intimidate their political opponents and the media.
President Bio have, in a cocktail dinner organized for journalists, disclosed that his government is currently looking at the seditious libel law with a view to repeal it. He noted that the wording of the Act clearly puts every citizen’s right to free speech in jeopardy.
“…Even where justification for its retention may abound, the overwhelming and preponderant view is that criminalizing libel is no longer fanciful, and seems to import what was formerly an autocratic style into democratic governance…’’, President Bio had noted.
Many are starting to doubt whether the Government will maintain and sustain free speech and strengthen the Independent Media Commission to regulate the operations of the media.
Excerpts From President Bio’s Speech At The Inaugural Media Cocktail Dinner
“…As we reflect on the last elections, particularly the extraordinary role the media played in safeguarding the credibility of the elections, I would like us to remember the heroism of someone who is not here with us tonight–Ibrahim Samura, a former editor of the New Age Newspaper. A brave and fearless journalist who lost his life for demanding a credible election. No election is worth more than the life of a journalist. Tonight, I will also like to mention Patrick Jaiah Kamara of Concord Times who continues to live with scars of the beating and physical attack on his person for similarly demanding a credible election. Never again should we have a government or politicians who abdicate their duty to protect journalists and become the perpetrators of violence against journalists. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, across the country there are extraordinary and hardworking journalists. I may not agree with everything you write or report but I know the success of your work is essential to the success of our democracy. You help all of us as politicians who serve at the pleasure of the people to do our jobs better by holding us accountable, demanding honesty and calling for transparency.
You could recall that in paragraph 147 of my maiden address at the state opening of the first Session of the Fifth Parliament, I pledged my Government’s commitment to among other things ‘repeal the seditious libel law’ and ‘enhance the capacity of the IMC to enforce the IMC Act.’ This was in fulfillment of my manifesto commitment. We are all aware that Part V of the Public Order Act criminalizes any publication that is deemed defamatory or seditious and has been used as a regime to unduly target and imprison media practitioners and silence dissident views. With the 1965 Public Order Act may have been passed to muzzle the press, yet the wording of the Act clearly puts every citizen’s right to free speech in jeopardy. Even where justification for its retention may abound, the overwhelming and preponderant view is that criminalizing libel is no longer fanciful, and seems to import what was formerly an autocratic style into democratic governance…”