Freetown, Sierra Leone 23rd June 2025

We, the undersigned journalists and media professionals in Sierra Leone, meeting in solidarity and shared purpose, hereby issue this joint communiqué to express our collective position on the urgent need to safeguard press freedom, digital rights, and freedom of expression in our country’s fast-evolving digital environment.

Preamble

Recognising that press freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, and that the digital space is now integral to how journalists work and how citizens access information, we note both the opportunities and threats presented by Sierra Leone’s digital transformation.

While we commend efforts by the Government of Sierra Leone to promote ICT growth and access to information, we are deeply concerned about emerging risks to journalists’ safety and digital rights, particularly in the context of:

• Online harassment and digital surveillance
• Data protection gaps
• Content regulation without sufficient safeguards
• The need for a free and open internet

Our Observations

1. Digital platforms have become essential tools for journalists to gather, report, and disseminate information. Yet, these tools are often subject to state and non-state interference.

2. There is a growing trend of intimidation, trolling, and online abuse directed at journalists, especially women, from both state and non-state actors, which undermines press freedom and silences critical voices.

3. Data protection and digital security for journalists and sources remain inadequate, exposing professionals and whistleblowers to surveillance and retaliation.

4. The absence of a clear legal framework on online freedom of expression and digital content moderation could enable arbitrary censorship and the suppression of dissent.

5. While the repeal of Part V of the Public Order Act was a significant milestone, new and proposed laws must not reintroduce criminal restrictions on media freedom under the guise of cybersecurity or misinformation control.

Recommendations

We therefore call on the Government of Sierra Leone to:

1. Guarantee and uphold press freedom both offline and online, in accordance with national laws, regional laws and international human rights instruments.

 

1. Promote ease of Access to Information for Media professionals through proactive disclosure in compliance with the Rights to Access Information Act 2013 to enhance accountability and transparency.

2. Enact and enforce a comprehensive Data Protection Law aligned with the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention), with specific protections for media professionals.

3. Ensure the review of repressive laws and policies such as Section 44 of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act of 2021 and the Counter Terrorism Bill of 2024 currently awaiting assent by the President. 
4. Ensure transparent and inclusive policy-making on digital regulation, allowing journalists and civil society to meaningfully participate in the development of laws on digital platforms, cybersecurity, and online speech.

5. Protect journalists and media workers from digital harassment and surveillance, and investigate threats or attacks directed against them.

6. Promote digital literacy for journalists, including support for digital security training and access to secure communications tools.

7. Safeguard and guarantee access to the internet and social media at all times, especially during elections and protests, as part of the right to information and expression.

Conclusion

We reaffirm our commitment to ethical, independent, and responsible journalism in service to the public. We urge the Government to work collaboratively with the media sector and civil society to build a rights-respecting digital environment that enables journalism to thrive.

Signed:

MRCG

Paradigm Initiative 

Pyramid Newspaper

Radio Democracy 98.1 

Radio Lion Mountain

Rise Radio 96.3 FM

Egbakoh Online

Gola Agric Radio

Slbc

Afriradio

Salone Times

Concord Times

The Calabash Newspaper

Rma-Ctn

Night Watch Newspaper

The Drone Newspaper

Yusuff Moseray Suma-Freelance

Truth Media

Fritong Post 

C4d Media

Sierraloaded

Awoko Newspaper

 Epic Radio 99.3 FM 

Newswatch Newspaper

Pinkintok

Can-Sl (Cso)

Truetok Radio

Slik Tv 

New Age Newspaper

The Nationalist Newspaper

Redeemer Media Network

Sierra Fox Media

A-Z Newspaper

Politico Newspaper

Town Crier Newspaper

Ayv Tv

Francessmindquest

Africa Young Voices Media Empire