SLAJ Pushes For Stronger Constitutional Protection Of Free Speech

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is stepping up its campaign for stronger constitutional protection of free speech and press freedom as the country prepares for a new phase of constitutional review.

The association is calling for a stand-alone constitutional chapter dedicated to Free Speech and Press Freedom, arguing that these fundamental rights should receive clearer and stronger protection under Sierra Leone’s supreme law.

The proposal marks an important shift in the country’s approach to media freedom. Rather than relying mainly on existing constitutional provisions, SLAJ wants freedom of expression and the press to be given a distinct constitutional framework that clearly defines the rights of journalists and citizens.

At a recent stakeholder consultation, SLAJ brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society, human-rights organisations, professional groups and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed chapter and build wider support for the initiative.

SLAJ President, Alhaji Manika Kamara, has emphasized that the campaign is not only about journalists, it is about protecting the right of every Sierra Leonean to express opinions, access information and participate freely in national affairs.

That distinction gives the campaign a much broader democratic significance.

When journalists can investigate freely, citizens are better informed. When citizens can express themselves without fear of unlawful retaliation, public debate becomes stronger. When the media can scrutinize those in power, corruption and abuse of authority are more likely to face public attention.

SLAJ’s proposal also comes at a time when political debate increasingly takes place online. Social media platforms have transformed how Sierra Leoneans communicate, criticize public officials and discuss national issues. Any modern constitutional framework on free expression must therefore consider not only newspapers, radio and television, but also the rapidly expanding digital information environment.

The association has pointed to constitutional experiences in countries such as Ghana and South Africa as examples of how stronger protections for freedom of expression and media freedom can be incorporated into constitutional law.

However, the proposal will face an important test during the constitutional amendment process. Getting stakeholders to support the principle is one thing. Turning that support into carefully drafted constitutional provisions and securing the necessary political and parliamentary backing is another.

SLAJ will therefore need to maintain engagement with lawmakers, political parties, legal experts, civil society and the wider public.

The wording of the proposed chapter will also matter enormously. Strong constitutional protection must clearly establish the rights being guaranteed, while providing appropriate safeguards against abuses, including incitement, defamation and other unlawful conduct.

Press freedom cannot mean freedom from professional responsibility. Journalists must continue to uphold accuracy, fairness, verification and ethical reporting. At the same time, professional standards should not become a tool for suppressing legitimate criticism or investigative journalism.

The proposed reform could also reopen discussions about the independence of institutions responsible for regulating the media. Ensuring that media regulation is transparent, professional and sufficiently independent from political influence would strengthen the credibility of any constitutional protection.

For Sierra Leone, the significance of the campaign goes beyond the interests of the media profession. A strong constitutional guarantee could provide greater protection for journalists investigating corruption, civil society organisations challenging government policy, academics engaging in public debate, opposition politicians criticizing government and ordinary citizens expressing their views.

The country has already made important progress, including the repeal of criminal libel laws in 2020. The current campaign seeks to build on that progress by placing stronger safeguards directly within the Constitution.

The bigger question is whether Sierra Leone is prepared to make freedom of expression one of the most firmly protected pillars of its democracy.

If the proposal succeeds, it could represent a major development in the country’s constitutional history and establish a stronger legal foundation for journalism, civic participation and democratic accountability.

For SLAJ, the message is increasingly clear: press freedom should not depend on the goodwill of whichever government is in power. It should be protected by the Constitution and belong to every Sierra Leonean.