By Alpha Kamara and Santigie Sesay-TVS News Washington
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has in no uncertain terms condemned the soaring spate of attacks and assault of Journalists while carrying out their lawful duty in the country.
“The action of those soldiers is totally unacceptable in a democratic state like Sierra Leone” SLAJ President Nasralla
SLAJ-the official body established to advocate for the welfare and safety of journalists in Sierra Leone said in a Press Release issued on 4th July 2022 that they strongly condemn the alleged beating of one of its members; Maada Jessie Jengo who is working with one of the community radio stations known as Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) broadcasting on FM 96.5 in Waterloo, Koya, Western Rural District.
According to the Press Release, Maada who was a pillion on a commercial motorbike while heading home after work was beaten merciless by some military personnel in the full view of the public. Maada noted that this sad incident took place on Saturday, July 2nd 2022 at an area called Five-Five fuel station in Waterloo. The bike, on which Maada was, ran by a black jeep with registration number ANK 156 carrying four military personnel including a top-ranking officer. The jeep, Maada added was parked right in the middle of the road thereby denying access to other users of the narrow road.
“The bike rider and I condemned the action of this stationary vehicle and within split seconds, the military personnel descended on us giving us the beating of our lives. The bike rider managed to escape leaving me at the mercy of the angry soldiers” Maada retorted.
Maada, with blood oozing from his battered face says he was infuriated when he continuously pleaded with the ruthless soldiers to spare him but sad as it was, his cry was out rightly ignored. “I was appalled knowing fully well that these soldiers had recognized me to be journalists yet, they did not mind.” he alluded
He narrated that after beating the heck out of him, the military personnel confiscated his journalist tools-voice recorder, mobile phone etcetera and during this skirmish, he lost the sum of One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Leones (old notes)
According to SLAJ, the local journalist made a formal complaint with the Waterloo Police Station where he was issued a medical report that enabled him to seek urgent medical attention. Report says that Maada is still recuperating from the shock and affliction meted on him by the military officers
In his initial reaction to this life-threatening attack on the journalist, the Association’s President; Ahmed Sahid Nasralla says:
“The action of those soldiers is totally unacceptable in a democratic state like Sierra Leone”, he went on “an attack on any journalist is an attack on press freedom. SLAJ is disappointed that even when the journalist was clearly identified by the T-shirt he wore, the soldiers reportedly went ahead to assault him in the manner they did”
The Journalists President urged the military personnel to among other things respect the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed with all security sector to protect and support one another’s role in our democracy especially journalists.
In order to avert similar incident from reoccurring, SLAJ further called on the leaderships of the Sierra Leone Police and the military to promptly and speedily investigate the matter and take appropriate actions needed.
“The fundamental responsibility of the national security sector is to ensure the safety and security of the people, including those charged with various offences. Your (security sector) duty is to protect the people, and the people should also exercise their rights within the armpits of the law to protect the peace and stability of the country,” said Nasralla.
SLAJ has also condemned what seem to be sporadic attacks on journalists in the country. Just within three months, similar attacks had been recorded. On the 28th of June, 2022, another journalist was attacked right in the country’s legislative house-Parliament. On 28th May this same year, another Journalist Sorie Saio Sesay was arrested and imprisoned for sharing what the Police deemed as untrue information.
There has also been several confrontations between journalists and security personnel, some of the accused personnel works in the office of the president.
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