By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has documented a series of arrests, intimidation, assaults and regulatory actions involving journalists and media institutions in Sierra Leone, raising renewed concerns about freedom of expression, press freedom and digital rights.
According to the Fifteenth Edition of MRCG’s Report on Press Freedom, Information, Internet and Digital Rights, which draws on monthly media monitoring reports from June to November 2025, journalists across the country faced multiple forms of interference while carrying out their professional duties.
In June 2025, Hassan Kamara, a reporter with Citizens Radio in Freetown, was reportedly arrested and intimidated by the Sierra Leone Police following a social media post linked to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) presidential election. Kamara told MRCG that the arrest was allegedly ordered by National Team Manager Mohamed Kallon, after he published claims suggesting Kallon supported a particular SLFA candidate. The report noted that the journalist later informed MRCG that the matter was “resolved amicably.”
Barely days later, on 15 June 2025, Mohamed Mattia, a reporter with Eastern Community Radio FM 96.5 in Kono, was allegedly assaulted and stabbed by suspected supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) during a district executive election. Mattia said he was attacked while attempting to interview First Lady Fatima Bio, adding that his assailants accused him of being critical of the First Lady on air.
“I was chased, assaulted and stabbed in my left arm,” Mattia told MRCG. He added that he was rushed to the hospital by fellow journalists. According to the report, the Mayor of Koidu New Sembehun City, Komba Sam, apologised on behalf of the supporters and compensated the journalist for damages incurred. Mattia later confirmed that he accepted both the apology and compensation.
The report further documented that in July 2025, the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) withdrew broadcast frequencies from Truth Media and G8 Media Group just days before their planned launches. Co-owner of Truth Media, Amadu Lamrana Bah, described the decision as “maltreatment,” while expressing willingness to cooperate with the authorities to resolve the matter.
Following the withdrawal, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) raised concerns with the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, and NaTCA Director General Amara Brewah, warning that such actions, if not properly addressed, could undermine press freedom. Authorities explained that Truth Media’s issue related to licence renewal, while G8 Media Group was awaiting spectrum allocation.
In August 2025, Bah announced that Truth Radio 103.9 FM was fully operational. SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara confirmed that engagements with NaTCA on the pending status of G8 Media Group were still ongoing.
The MRCG report also revealed that on 18 August 2025, Thomas Dixon, Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors and Managing Editor of New Age Newspaper, was invited to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters over allegations of cyberstalking and cyberbullying filed by Leone Rock Metal Group. The complaint followed Dixon’s publication of a news alert on alleged criminal charges against the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Dixon told MRCG that the company offered to withdraw the complaint on condition that he stopped reporting on its affairs—an offer he declined. SLAJ later confirmed that Dixon was released on bail in the sum of NLe 100,000. According to ASP Kabba Lavalie of the CID Cyber Unit, the matter was under investigation, with both parties engaging in alternative dispute resolution.
On 2 September 2025, Christian Conteh, Editor at Truth Newspaper and Managing Editor of Sierra Check, was allegedly intimidated by police officers while investigating a story about a corpse lying on Lumley Beach Road. Conteh said officers seized his phones, deleted photographs and threatened him with detention. He later told MRCG that he chose not to pursue the matter further.
In another incident, Amadu Lamrana Bah, presenter of Morning Devotion on Truth Radio, was allegedly threatened on 14 October 2025 following public comments on the devastating impact of Kush on young people. SLAJ and MRCG condemned the threats, describing them as “a direct attack on press freedom and freedom of expression,” and called on the police to investigate the matter. The CID confirmed that investigations were ongoing.
The report further noted that on 22 October 2025, Yusuff Moseray Suma, News Editor at Unity Broadcasting Online TV, received online threats during a live political discussion programme centred on political suppression claims involving the APC and SLPP. Suma said he reported the incident to SLAJ and MRCG and intended to formally notify the police.
Meanwhile, on 5 November 2025, Sahr Memphis, Chief Executive Officer of Born to Blog, was invited by the CID Cyber Unit over a post alleging the disappearance of a container suspected to contain Kush at the Sierra Leone Ports Authority. Following an intervention by Minister Chernor Bah, the matter was resolved, and Born to Blog issued a public apology and retraction. Police later confirmed that the case had been closed.
In its concluding observations, MRCG stressed that while some cases were resolved through dialogue and mediation, the recurring pattern of arrests, intimidation, assaults and cybercrime investigations underscores the need for stronger safeguards to protect journalists and digital rights in Sierra Leone.
The group urged law enforcement agencies, political actors and regulatory bodies to uphold constitutional guarantees and ensure that journalists can operate “without fear of intimidation, violence or undue interference,” in line with the principles of freedom of expression and press freedom.
