Answers to these questions would always vary from country to country.
Here in Sierra Leone, there had been a flurry of debates as to whether the press is free. One school of thought argues that the press in Sierra Leone is comparatively free. Such argument is most often based on the proliferation of media outlets in the country, with little or no restrictions in the registration and/or operation of these media organizations.
But are the number of radio stations and newspapers operating in a country a measure of press freedom? Or have we looked at other existing conditions to determine the state of the media in Sierra Leone?
In other words, there is the other side of the argument which believes that as long as Part 5, Sections 26-33 of the 1965 Public Order Act remains in the Statue Book, it will be contradictory to claim the existence of press freedom in this country.
Similarly, while Section 25 subsection (i) of the 1991 Constitution provides for press freedom and freedom of expression, section 25 subsection (ii) of the same constitution imposes limitation on press freedom and freedom of expression. In the same vein, sections 26-33 of the Public Order Act of 1965 actually punish a journalist for a breach of those sections. Those sections deal with defamatory and seditious libel for which a journalist, upon conviction, can be sent to jail or fined or suffer both penalties. This is most unfair, and the fact that the courts in this country have never exhibited any modicum of impartiality in matters concerning libel, the journalist remains on the receiving end of unfair judgement.
It is for this and other reasons that SLAJ has challenged those provisions of the Public Order Act in the Supreme Court. SLAJ believes that those sections of the Act are old and are bad laws and contravene the principles of democracy and good governance. They must therefore be squashed.
It is against this background that as we observe this day, SLAJ solicits the support of members of the public including civil society in the fight to decriminalize the aged old libel laws in this country.
SLAJ also urges its members to adhere to the practice of good journalism; to work within the media code of practice and give the profession a good name.
As we conclude this statement, SLAJ calls on repressive regimes to release from incarceration all journalists that were arrested while discharging their lawful duties. SLAJ also extends a word of condolence to the families of journalists who were killed or lost their lives while on the line of duty. May their souls rest in peace.
Amen.
SLAJ SECRETARIAT
3/5/08
PRESS RELEASE
This serves to inform members of the public that Executive Members of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), have conducted a full-scale investigation into a series of allegations in recent publications of the Independent Observer Newspaper against the Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Kemoh Sesay.
On the conclusion of the investigation, the Executive came out with the followings findings:
i. That all the allegations in the Independent Observer against the Minister have no basis of truth;
ii. That the author of the allegations, Mr. Jonathan Leigh, Managing Editor of Independent Observer, did not take the necessary steps to get “the other side” of his story from Mr. Kemoh Sesay;
iii. That the allegations published against Mr. Kemoh Sesay was as a result of misinformation, and that Mr. Jonathan Leigh had no deliberate intention to vilify the Minister. The Managing Editor has admitted that the allegations against the Minister were incorrect and has personally expressed regret for the embarrassment the publication caused on the aggrieved Minister.
In this regard, the Executive of SLAJ has prevailed on Hon. Kemoh Sesay to opt for an out-of-court settlement so that the matter could be laid to rest.
Meanwhile, the SLAJ Executive has condemned the publication as most unprofessional and a source of embarrassment to other SLAJ Members.
SLAJ Secretariat
3/5/08
