NO DEMOCRACY IN SIERRA LEONE WITHOUT PRESS FREEDOM!!

Elkass Sannoh Gives Account Of His Ordeal

Borrowing from the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Press Release, today, May
3, 2017, is a very critical day celebrated by critical minds. As a proud member of SLAJ, and to
the glory of God, I am happy to give a brief account about a bitter experience I had whilst
practicing as a Journalist.

With extract from a Press Statement published on 21st May 2012 by the Media Foundation for
West Africa, the organization reported that, Journalist assaulted while documenting eviction
in Sierra Leone: The incident began when the journalist came across the police officers, along
with some court bailiffs, carrying out an eviction order at 56 Upper Waterloo Street, Freetown.
According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)'s correspondent, upon arrival at
the scene, Sannoh introduced himself to ASP Murana Kamara, the officer-in-charge, who asked
the journalist to leave, as his presence was not needed.
Sannoh, surprised at the way in which the police were throwing out valuable property belonging
to the residents, asked ASP Kamara whether it was right for the police to be involved in throwing
away people's property when they were supposed to protect life and property.
According to the correspondent, Sannoh realized the ASP's refusal to answer his question, and
brought out his camera to take shots of events as they unfolded. This act apparently angered the
ASP, who ordered his men to seize Sannoh's camera and his mobile phone.
In the heat of the scuffle, a police officer who boldly declared his number as 9007 threatened
the journalist that he would have dealt with him (Sannoh) fatally if he were not in uniform.
The MFWA has consistently condemned such unprofessional acts by the police and calls for
immediate actions against the officers who carried out this assault.
We continue to urge the hierarchy of the SLP and the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to
take urgent steps to improve the relationship between the police service and journalists, which
for many years has been plagued with a series of confrontations.

I have deliberately refused to comment on the outcome but will duff my hat to Lawyer
Emmanuel Saffa Abdulais organisation- (Society for Democratic Initiative) for standing tall to
issue out a Press Release and condemned that police brutality on my person. Unfortunately,
SLAJ or the Sierra Leone Police hierarchy did not issue a Press Release to condemn such
unprofessional policing.

One thing that must be abundantly stated is that, Sierra Leone will never become a democratic
state if journalists are constantly suppressed or oppressed for executing their sacred and
professional duties. The media industry is challenged and professionalism is mostly replaced
with unprofessionalism.

Indeed while we are gathered here today at the Harry Yansanehs hall, SLAJ Secretariat, we must
reflect on the dark days and throw light on our success stories. If our successes are minimal, then
we should continue to sadly reflect in pain for disappointing those who put their blood on the
alter for a FREE PRESS in Sierra Leone. One will now be tempted to ask: Do We Have A Free
Press? If the answer is No, then we should further ask if we are playing our sacred role/s as
professional and responsible journalists.

Journalism is built on holding authorities accountable to the people, publicizing issues that need
attention, educating citizens so they can make informed decisions, and to serve as societal
watchdog.

The watchdog function is often the hardest to perform well. Government agencies and officials
are not always willing to be transparent, especially if there is no tradition of public scrutiny.
The founder of Inter-news, an international nongovernmental agency-David Hoffman once
stated that, "Freedom of speech and exchange of information are not just luxuries, they are the
currency on which global commerce, politics, and culture increasingly depend,"
Inherently, without a free and independent press sector, the full responsibility for public
information and safety resides only in the government. This lack of public engagement can
seriously undermine a country's security and economic growth. The media can act as a safety
valve by offering a forum for diverse voices to be heard, so why African leaders hardly allow
an accountable press?

In Sierra Leone, section 11 of the 1991 Constitution guarantees that the press which includes:
radio, television and agencies of the mass media shall be free to uphold the fundamental
objectives contained in this constitution, and highlights the responsibilities and accountability of
the government to the people. As recognized by the constitution, the need for a free press in
building a democratic society is indispensible.

In joining the world to commemorate/celebrate this great day, I urged that SLAG and the
Independent Media Commission should try to stand tall to sanitize the media industry as the
public confidence is reducing.

Undoubtedly, the media in Sierra Leone is a free-for-all enterprise as stated in section 25(1) Act
No. 6 of 1991. Editors, journalists and other newsmen are using this constitutional provision and
stopping at nothing but to satisfy their selfishness and rapacity in the news business in order to
satisfy the wills of their political godfathers. Let me therefore use this medium to encourage our
Editors to improve on the quality of the news content.

Again, the ethical standards of Sierra Leones media or journalism as founded in the Independent
Media Commissions Media Code of Practice are being repudiated by quacks and some
practicing journalists without any compunction.

The Voiceless Sierra Leoneans are joining SLAJ to call on the ruling Government to review the
obnoxious 1965 Public Order Act and repel Part 5. No matter how one interpret it, the media in
Sierra Leone has been either positively or negatively contributing to the present state of the
country.

This is the Pen of The Voiceless Sierra Leoneans with Elkass Sannoh: Twitter:SannohElkass
email:superilsannoh5@gmail.com

Long Live SLAG! Long Live Press Freedom!