By Kemo Cham
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has called on its members to be cautious in their coverage of the country amid the prevailing heightened security situation.
SLAJ said journalists must beware of restrictions currently in place and ensure that they abide by the rules. The warning came after the reported detention of three journalists – two foreign nationals and one local – who allegedly took images of security forces without permission.
The journalists, whose names were not disclosed, were reportedly apprehended in the morning hours of Friday 8th December, around the Central Business District of Freetown.
According to the umbrella journalist body, the trio were questioned at the Cyber Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Sierra Leone Police. Their equipment – camera, SD Card, and smartphone – were confiscated before they were released to report the following day, the organization said in a statement.
“In this light, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists is calling on journalists to be cautious and beware of the restrictions during this heightened state of security in the country,” it said.
SLAJ particularly advised foreign journalists to ensure that they go through the appropriate channels in reporting from the country and to respect the laws and regulations relating to their work.
It also urged all its members to continue adhering to professionalism in their coverage of ongoing investigations of the November 26 alleged failed attempted coup.
SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla was quoted reiterating call for journalists to be “very cautious about their safety and security” and to refrain from putting out unverified information about the unfolding security situation in the country.
“I also continue to urge citizens to be critical of the information they are receiving and be wary of disinformation and fake news. Our collective civil liberties, freedoms, and standard of living are more guaranteed under our democracy with all its shortcomings, so we must all work together to prevent, resist, and condemn any attempt to undermine Constitutional order in our country,” Nasralla said in the statement, which also urged the security officials to recognize and respect the role of the media and journalists in providing correct and factual information to the public and ensure their safety and security.
While condemning the failed coup, the journalist body also commended the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for its handling of information dissemination.
