The Sierra Leone Reporters Union
Press Release
Freetown, 9 September, 2019 -The Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) is gravely disturbed and dissappointed over the physical attack and assault on two of our colleague journalists, Francess Bernard and Esther Marie Samura, both working for the state broadcaster, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), who were manhandled by close protection guards of the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown.
The incident occurred whilst doing their job peacefully during the Sierra Leone Vs Liberia second leg 2022 Qatar World Cup preliminary qualifiers encounter on Sunday, 8 September.
As we outrightly condemn the physical assaults on our colleague journalists, who also lost valuable personal effects, we call on the Government to ensure swift investigating of that unfortunate incident; and the accused security guards held to account.
We also wish to draw the attention of the President to this matter, as the SLRU believes that the Office of the President stands for decency and civility and will not condone such behaviour.
Journalists, like other specialized professionals, are not criminals and are free to work without any hindrance to their job or fear of attack, as protected by the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and international human rights instruments on press freedom and freedom of expression. Hence it is the responsibility of the state to protect them.
'As a professional body, we see this assault as an infringement on the fundamental human rights and freedoms of our colleagues', said Amadu Lamrana Bah, President of the SLRU.
Once again, we are calling for swift action by the appropriate authorities to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence/impunity.
©: Secretary General, SLRU - Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
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