By Nasratu Kargbo
Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has released a report highlighting press freedom issues that occurred in Sierra Leone in 2022.
The August 2022 report mentioned a series of attacks, death threats, and alleged “assassination attempts” on different journalists across the country.
The report indicated that BBC Correspondent in Sierra Leone Umaru Fofana on 12 August 2022 posted on his Facebook page about a death threat against him by unknown persons, which was a result of his job. “Mr. Fofana stated that as much as he took the threat seriously, he would not allow such to negatively affect his professional practice to judiciously serve the interest of his country and its citizens” the report stated.
“Maada Jesse Jengo, a journalist working for Voice of Peace and Development Radio FM 96.5 (VOPAD) in Waterloo, Western Area Rural who was physically assaulted by four officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) on 2 July 2022” the report noted of another case.
It further explained that the radio Station Manager Joseph Lamin spoke to MRCG about the engagement held with the assaulted journalist, his family, community stakeholders, and the perpetrators after resolving to amicably settle the issue. Explaining the agreements made, Lamin said they agreed that the perpetrators should refund Jengo’s items and his medical bills, but noted that the perpetrators had only paid half of the agreed amount.
Owner of Gbla Online TV Abdulia Gbla on 28 June 2022 was assaulted by a Member of Parliament representing constituency 121Abdul Muniru Lansana, it was also documented.
“SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla told MRCG that the investigation was still ongoing” the report stated. Other assaults were also mentioned.
MRCG in its report also said on the 10th of August 2022 there was a shutdown in the internet in Freetown and some parts of the north and north-west of the country. It added that a technology and smart utility infrastructure company Zoodlabs Sierra Leone in a press release had stated that “the internet shutdown in the country was as a result of an emergency technical maintenance on some of their international routes”.
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