AWE Media Sierra Leone

PRESS RELEASE 28 July, 2020 Sierra Leone: IFJ hails repeal of criminal defamation law The Sierra Leone Parliament has unanimously repealed on 23 July, 2020 its criminal libel law. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to celebrate a great victory for freedom of expression and press freedom. Parliamentarians unanimously approved on 23 July the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Act 2020 and repealed the 1965 Public Order Act (POA) that criminalized libel and sedition. In a statement celebrating the repeal of the libel law, SLAJ said: “the biggest beneficiary of the repeal of this bad law is Sierra Leone. Our beloved country has now joined the enviable community of progressive nations where free and responsible speech is guaranteed and protected by law. This is a huge milestone for freedom of expression and democracy in Sierra Leone.” The President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, said: “Freedom comes with g...

PRESS RELEASE  FREETOWN | 24th July, 2020    SLAJ Celebrates Repeal of Criminal Libel and Enactment of New IMC Bill 2020    The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) rejoices over the historic repeal by the Sierra Leone Parliament of the 55-year-old Part 5 of the infamous Public Order Act of 1965, which criminalises free speech and the work of the media, and the enactment of a New IMC Bill 2020 which seeks to regulate same.    Thursday, 23rd July, 2020 will be remembered as Freedom Day not only for journalists but for all Sierra Leoneans. The biggest beneficiary of the repeal of this bad law is Sierra Leone. Our beloved country has now joined the enviable community of progressive nations, where free (and responsible) speech is guaranteed and protected by law.    SLAJ commends His Excellency the President Julius Maada Bio for providing the political will, his Minister of Information and Communications Mohamed Rahman Swarray for driving the process, and the Sierra Leone Parliame...