Following an alleged assault on six journalists attached to the African Young Voices (AYV) in Makeni by some All People’s Congress (APC) supporters on Wednesday 16th January 2019, the AYV administration has threatened a news blackout on the Party if they fail to adhere to their ultimatum. According to Amadu Kamara, the Regional Bureau Chief, AYV North, they sent a team of reporters to cover the interview of former President Ernest Bai Koroma by the Sierra Leone Police over a press statement that was issued by his Party on the 28th of December 2018. Kamara said two hours before the interview the news team attempted to talk to past APC executive members about security issues and access to the former President’s residence. Kamara said the AYV journalists were outside trying to get a glimpse of what was happening when the Party’s District Deputy Organising Secretary, Alpha Apazo Bangura said, “AYV… I thought we’ve discussed this and agreed that you should go home.” The AYV team responded, that they had the instructions on record that they don’t have access to the residence. But, they could be around to show viewers a glimpse of what is happening. It is alleged that Bangura told the AYV team to stop forcing themselves into APC activities… and he accused the news team of supporting the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Kamara said as soon as Bangura made that utterance, thugs of Party’s supporters jumped onto the reporters and beat them; their cameras were snatched, and their phones were damaged. They were apparently rescued by former youth minister, Alimamy Kamara and several sympathizers. According to the AYV administration, a formal complaint has been made to the Police and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). Secondly, they will present an ultimatum to the Party, which, if they failed to adhere, AYV will consider a news blackout on the Party. The AYV administration condemns the violent act stating this was not the first time that their reporters have been assaulted. They said they will continue to be factual credible, independent and fair. Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the SLAJ Secretary General has condemned any violence involving journalists and specifically the violent act in Makeni and has urged the APC to take responsibility for their actions. The SLAJ Secretary General said, “No politician has the right to attack a journalist. This is the second time the Party members are attacking journalists during the performance of news gathering. The first was during the election.” In addition to that, he condemned the arrest and detention of journalists stating that a government that has promised so much to the media should not be acting as such. They should refer matters against journalists to the Independent Media Commission (IMC). He also condemned the death threats and physical actions against journalist Umaru Fofanah. When contacted, the APC Party’s Deputy Organising Secretary, Alpha Apazo Bangura, refused to comment on the issue.
EDB/17/1/19
By Edna Browne-Dauphine
Friday January 18, 2019.