Sierra Leonean Editors Condemn Misuse of Cybersecurity Act To Silence Journalists

By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie

In an unprecedented move, the Guild of Newspaper Editors of Sierra Leone has issued a stern condemnation of the misuse of the country’s Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021 to intimidate journalists and stifle free speech.

The Guild, representing some of the most respected and influential news organisations in the country, has called for an immediate investigation into reported instances of the Act being used to harass and silence journalists in SierraLeone.

In a statement, the Guild of Editors noted with grave concern the incident involving their Chairman and Managing Editor of the New Age Newspaper, Thomas Dixon, who was recently invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in relation to a news alert he published; an action which, by every reasonable interpretation, does not fall within the ambit of the country’s cyber law.

“I am worried about the future of journalism; especially as most legacy media are striving to establish a digital presence. The way the police misused the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021 is nothing short of a reincarnation of Part 5 of the 1965 Public Order Act, which criminalised free speech. Today it is Thomas Dixon, but tomorrow it could be another journalist,” the Guild Chairman said.

According to the Guild’s statement, Dixon was subjected to eight hours of interrogation at the CID, during which threats of detention were made against him. “Such treatment is not only disproportionate but also represents a clear affront to press freedom, freedom of expression, and due process guaranteed under our national Constitution and international human rights conventions to which Sierra Leone is a signatory,” the statement added.

The Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021, enacted with the noble intention of safeguarding the digital infrastructure and combating cybercrime, has been a subject of concern among the journalistic community due to its potential for misuse. The Act provides law enforcement agencies with extensive powers to investigate and prosecute cyber-related offences, including those related to journalism.

However, recent reports suggest that these powers are being used to intimidate journalists, particularly those who are investigating sensitive or controversial topics. This misuse of the Act is not only a violation of the freedom of the press but also a threat to the democratic fabric of our society.

In a similarly disconcerting development, the Guild’s statement further states that Sahr Matturi, a senior journalist with the Standard Times Newspaper, was also apprehended by the CID on allegations of cyberbullying and cyberstalking. He was subsequently released on August 28, 2025, following what appears to be a pattern of arbitrary arrests and selective enforcement of the law intended to suppress journalistic expression. The Guild considers the arrest and detention of Mr. Matturi is a manifest abuse of legal process and a clear illustration of how the cyber law is being misapplied in a punitive manner rather than employed for its legitimate legislative intent.

This statement by the Guild of Newspaper Editors marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about the balance between national security and freedom of the press. It is a call for transparency, accountability, and respect for the fundamental principles that underpin our democratic society.