Sierra Leone: Journalist in coma after being assaulted
On 13 November 2004, Mohamed Amara Josiah, a correspondent for "Standard Times" newspaper in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, was assaulted by a group of men until he fell into a coma. Amara is currently responding to treatment at a local hospital in the region. According to MFWA sources in Sierra Leone, the attack on Amara followed an article published in the paper, entitled, "Tribalism and Nepotism Rocks Kenema Government Hospital". The article was said to have contained disparaging statements about Samuel Stevens, who heads the government hospital.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - SIERRA LEONE
22 November 2004
Journalist in coma after being assaulted
SOURCE: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Accra
(MFWA/IFEX) - On 13 November 2004, Mohamed Amara Josiah, a correspondent for
"Standard Times" newspaper in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, was assaulted by
a group of men until he fell into a coma. Amara is currently responding to
treatment at a local hospital in the region.
According to MFWA sources in Sierra Leone, the attack on Amara followed an
article published in the paper, entitled, "Tribalism and Nepotism Rocks
Kenema Government Hospital". The article was said to have contained
disparaging statements about Samuel Stevens, who heads the government
hospital.
The assault occurred at the Kay Spot, a local entertainment centre in
Kenema. Three men believed to be government hospital workers and a fourth
individual who claimed to be the owner of the centre abruptly attacked Amara
and assaulted him until he fell into a coma.
"We are beating you because you were among the team of journalists that went
to cross check the story. We told you not to publish that story, since we
are fighting for our survival," the assailants are alleged to have said.
On 18 November, local journalists reported the matter to the Kenema Town
police station. The journalists said they were concerned for their safety.
The MFWA condemns the violent attack on Amara and calls on police
authorities to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice. The
organisation is of the view that this action amounts to the attackers taking
the law into their own hands and is part of a calculated plan to silence the
media in this region of the country.
For further information, contact Jeannette Quarcoopome, Media Foundation for
West Africa, P.O. Box LG 730, Legon, Ghana, tel.: +233 21 24 24 70, fax:
+231 21 22 10 84, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.mfwaonline.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MFWA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MFWA.
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