Sierra Leone: Two Citizen FM radio journalists attacked
On 26 July 2004, Alex James, station manager of Citizen FM, a privately-owned community radio station located in the east of the capital, Freetown, was attacked by a group of armed youth in the community. James was returning home from work when he was attacked by the youth, who robbed him of his jewellery, cash and two mobile phones. Three days later, on the night of 29 July, the same armed youth group assaulted Alie Bai Kamara, a Citizen FM reporter, and left him in a coma. The youths left Kamara with lacerated lips, bruised arms and swollen eyes.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - SIERRA LEONE
9 August 2004
Two Citizen FM radio journalists attacked
SOURCE: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Accra
(MFWA/IFEX) - On 26 July 2004, Alex James, station manager of Citizen FM, a
privately-owned community radio station located in the east of the capital,
Freetown, was attacked by a group of armed youth in the community. James was
returning home from work when he was attacked by the youth, who robbed him
of his jewelry, cash and two mobile phones.
Three days later, on the night of 29 July, the same armed youth group
assaulted Alie Bai Kamara, a Citizen FM reporter, and left him in a coma.
The youths left Kamara with lacerated lips, bruised arms and swollen eyes.
According to MFWA sources in Sierra Leone, the attack on Citizen FM station
staff came after the 23 July edition of a popular programme broadcast by the
station criticised the Kissy police station, in the east of Freetown, for
not doing enough to rid the area of ghettos that have become breeding
grounds for criminals. The programme is hosted by journalist David Tam
Baryoh and has a phone-in segment which affords the public an opportunity to
express their views on issues being discussed.
Police authorities at the Kissy police station were said to be embarrassed
about the views expressed by the public on the matter. A day after the
programme aired, the police embarked on a search and destroyed some ghettos
in the community.
The armed youth group accused the station of being critical of activities in
their area. They claimed the station "betrayed the community," since most of
the station's workers live in the same community.
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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