Sierra Leone Drops 28 Places in World Press Freedom Index

By: Christian Conteh

On World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3, 2023, Sierra Leonean journalists and media organizations took stock of the country’s press freedom situation, highlighting both successes and challenges. However, the key focus was the alarming drop in Sierra Leone’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), addressed the media and expressed his concerns regarding the decline in press freedom. Nasralla acknowledged that Sierra Leone’s media environment is relatively free, safe, and conducive to journalism, with no journalists currently detained or imprisoned for carrying out their work.

Sierra Leone boasts a diverse media landscape, with over 530 registered media houses, including newspapers, radio stations, television stations, magazines, and digital platforms. The Independent Media Commission (IMC) regularly receives applications for the registration of new media companies, reflecting a dynamic media industry.

However, Nasralla emphasized the need to contextualize the level of press freedom in Sierra Leone. The repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2020 marked a significant achievement, resulting in a decrease in arbitrary arrests and detentions of journalists critical of the government. This reform also led to Sierra Leone’s rise in the World Press Freedom Index in 2021 and 2022, climbing approximately 29 places.

However, the 2023 global ranking revealed a startling drop, with Sierra Leone falling 28 places from 46 to 74. Nasralla attributed this decline to the passing of the Cyber Security and Crime Act in 2021, which many journalists perceived as encroaching on the freedoms gained through the repeal of the criminal libel law. The drop in rankings affected various indicators, including security, legislation, and economic factors.

SLAJ, while supportive of measures to promote responsible use of cyberspace, expressed concerns about certain sections of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, particularly Section 44, which has the potential to undermine press freedom and freedom of expression. Although arrests and detentions have occurred under the law, none of the cases have gone to trial, leaving lingering uncertainties.

Nasralla also highlighted the outdated Civil Defamation Act of 1961, which grants judges immense discretionary powers in civil libel suits. SLAJ has raised concerns about the law’s potential misuse and its negative impact on freedom of the press.

The economic challenges faced by media organizations were also discussed. The rising costs of raw materials and a decline in advertising revenue have placed a heavy burden on media outlets. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict have further exacerbated economic difficulties, forcing some media houses to downsize or shut down. The government, as the largest advertiser, has struggled to fulfil its financial obligations to media outlets, particularly those critical of the government.

Despite these challenges, SLAJ has been working tirelessly to improve the welfare of journalists and media workers. The new IMC Act enacted in 2020 mandates media employers to pay staff above the minimum wage and ensure their social security contributions are met. However, financial constraints remain a significant hurdle for media houses.

Nasralla also addressed safety and security concerns. While progress has been made through collaborations with the security sector, incidents of physical assaults, destruction of equipment, intimidation, online attacks, and death threats against journalists persist. The police, political party supporters, and traditional authorities were identified as the main perpetrators, requiring ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of journalists.

The emergence of social media as a platform for disseminating disinformation, fake news, and hate speech was also highlighted as a threat to both traditional media outlets and national stability. Efforts to combat the spread of problematic content and promote media literacy among citizens were recognized as crucial steps to address this issue.

With the upcoming June 24 elections, SLAJ has taken on a central role in shaping the media landscape and setting the agenda for the elections. Working in collaboration with numerous partners, including NDI, NED, Irish Aid, FCDO and EU through IDEA International, UNDP, and the ECSL, SLAJ is implementing various initiatives.

Journalists across the country are being trained in conflict and gender-sensitive reporting to minimize political tension and promote women politicians during the elections. Additionally, training programs are being conducted to educate journalists and the public about the Proportional Representation system, ensuring understanding and informed discussions around the new electoral system.

A significant focus is being placed on combating disinformation, fake news, and hate speech during the elections. SLAJ aims to provide citizens with access to accurate, credible, and reliable information, reducing the influence of problematic content.

Media literacy programs have been initiated to help citizens understand professional news production and consumption, empowering them to make informed decisions and limit the spread of misinformation.

Furthermore, SLAJ is leading the National Political Debates Committee (NPDC), consisting of 11 member organizations, to organize presidential debates among the leading political parties. The aim is to foster dialogue among candidates and promote issue-based conversations surrounding the elections.

In commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2023, SLAJ and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with the support of the EU, will launch the Media Manifesto 2023 on May 26. The manifesto, with the theme “The MEDIA WE WANT,” is expected to be endorsed by political party leaders as part of their manifestos.

Nasralla concluded by honouring journalists who have lost their lives and those who remain incarcerated, emphasizing the importance of their sacrifice in bringing information to the public.

As Sierra Leone strives to address the challenges affecting press freedom, stakeholders, including SLAJ, media houses, civil society organizations, the government, and international partners, continue to work together to create an enabling environment for a vibrant, independent, and responsible media sector in the country.