Sierra Leone: IFJ Condemns recent wave of threats and attacks on journalists

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the recent wave of threats and attacks on journalists in Sierra alone.

Three journalists, namely Gibril Gottor of Radio Kollenten in Kambia, Alex James of Citizen Radio in Freetown and Mama Jalloh of the United Nations radio in Freetown have all received threat messages as a result of their work.

According to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), these threats are proffered two weeks after an incident where a journalist was beaten up in Pujehun by a supporter of the People’s Party, an opposition political party in Sierra Leone and another attack on Radio Wanjei also in Pujehun allegedly by APC supporters.

“This threats and attacks are unwarranted,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office. “The Media in Sierra Leone has played a tremendous role in the democratic process. These significant gains that had been made cannot be allowed to be trampled by individuals who feel offended by the reports of the media.”

The IFJ calls on the authorities in Sierra Leone, to guarantee the safety of journalists and to ensure that those who willfully threaten and attack journalists are arrested and prosecuted in a competent court of law.