SLAJ & MRCG Make Bold Demand to Govt
SLAJ & MRCG Make Bold Demand to Govt
On World Press Freedom Day, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) have issued a strong call for transparency from the government concerning the draft Counter Terrorism Bill. In a joint letter to the Attorney General, the two media advocacy groups expressed appreciation for past engagements with the government and Parliament on the bill but urged that the final version of the legislation be shared with stakeholders before it proceeds to the Government Printer and to President Julius Maada Bio for assent. This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Press Freedom and the Media,” served as a backdrop for the renewed appeal, underscoring the critical role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and human rights. While SLAJ and MRCG acknowledged previous assurances that the African Union Model Law on Counter Terrorism would guide revisions to the bill, they highlighted the importance of verifying that commitments to press freedom have been upheld in the final text. “Our request is made in good faith and is informed by our experience with the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021, where some concerns raised by media stakeholders were not fully incorporated,” the letter stated. The organizations emphasized their dual commitment to both national security and civil liberties, arguing that meaningful collaboration will ensure laws that both protect the public and uphold fundamental freedoms. “As stakeholders committed to democratic values, we believe this approach reflects Sierra Leone’s dedication to balancing safety and rights—especially under a government that has championed press freedom,” said SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla and MRCG National Coordinator Dr. Francis Sowa. They concluded with a call for timely and transparent engagement, expressing hope for a positive response from the Attorney General’s office.
