Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, has yesterday presented to the Minister of Information and Communications (MIC), Mohammed Rahman Swarray the media’s official position on the Cybercrime Bill 2020.
While handing over the media’s position statement, Nasralla mentioned that the presentation is done in the same spirit of dialogue, cooperation, collaboration, and sincere exchanges that characterized the media’s relationship with the MIC during the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law and the passing of the IMC Bill 2020 into law.
He described the cybercrime bill as highly technical and therefore needs expert perspectives from professionals in human rights, media, cyber security, ICT, and the law, to name but a few.
“Our concern is mainly on provisions in the bill that have the potential to interfere with free speech, free media and privacy rights,” says Nasralla.
He further called on the Parliament of Sierra Leone to ensure these fundamental rights are always protected.
Among other things SLAJ requested that all terms in the bill are clearly defined to ensure that there is no ambiguity in interpreting the laws in the bill.
SLAJ also proposed that there should be a data protection law enacted alongside or before the cybercrime bill is passed into law to ensure that the privacy of citizens is well protected.
SLAJ also asked that the capacity of the judiciary and the police is upgraded for proper implementation of the law.
The media’s position is informed through consultative meetings led by SLAJ and the MRCG of all media groups in the country as follows: IMC, RAIC, IRN, GoNE, SLRU, WIMSAL, SWASAL, SLCRA, PPG, SLBC, Mass Communications Dept. FBC- USL, VEJU and photographers union.
Minister of information, Mohamed Rahman Swaray said the ministry appreciates the approach of SLAJ in consulting with it’s constituent bodies and other media stakeholders to arrive at a common position and presenting that to the ministry.
“We hope other organisations with interest in this bill will follow the example of SLAJ, ” he added.
He said they have noted the concern of SLAJ and they would consult experts in the ECOWAS and EU level for advice.
AK/14/04/2021