Freetown, Sierra Leone, 10th October 2025— The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has released its September 2025 Media Freedom Review, painting a troubling picture of press freedom in Sierra Leone. The report documents a series of incidents involving intimidation, harassment, legal threats, and violence against journalists, raising fresh concerns about the safety and independence of the media.
Among the most disturbing cases is the reported intimidation of Christian Conteh, Managing Editor of Sierra Check and Editor at Truth Media, who was allegedly accosted by five police officers while investigating a story about a corpse at Lumley Beach Road on 2nd September. Conteh said the officers seized his phones, deleted photos and threatened him with detention. Though shaken, he chose not to file a formal complaint.
In another case, Thomas Dixon, President of the Guild of Newspaper Editors and Editor of New Age Newspaper, was invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in August for questioning over alleged cyberbullying reported by Leone Rock. The matter was later dropped after the company withdrew its complaint, according to CID officials.
The report also highlights the withdrawal of broadcasting frequencies from G8 Media Group by the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) just days before its planned launch in July. SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara confirmed that discussions with NaTCA are ongoing, but the group remains off-air.
Meanwhile, Kandeh Sesay, Managing Editor of The Watch Newspaper, alleged that he was verbally threatened by a member of the First Lady’s media team over a report concerning property linked to the First Lady in The Gambia. The journalist has yet to report the matter to police.
The review further documents the alleged assault of Foday Fofanah, a camera operator for Africa Young Voices (AYV), who was reportedly attacked by armed police officers while intervening in a street altercation involving vendors and a motorbike rider. Fofanah sustained multiple injuries. AYV has identified two witnesses, and police say they are awaiting their testimony to proceed with the investigation.
In a separate development, the CID Cybercrime Unit confirmed that Dr. Samura Kamara, the 2023 presidential flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC), responded to an invitation for questioning. The investigation remains active.
The report also covers a libel case involving Dr. Turad Senesie, Minister of Lands, and Admire Jalloh, popularly known as Mama of Freetown. On 5 September, the High Court issued an interim order restraining Jalloh from publishing defamatory content. She later apologized publicly via Facebook and personally to the Minister. The case was subsequently discontinued.
Another legal matter involves Tejan Sheikh Rogers, a lecturer at Milton Margai University, who was charged with cyberstalking for allegedly defaming the university’s Vice Chancellor via WhatsApp. After failing to appear in court, a bench warrant was issued, and the case was committed to the High Court.
Journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray, a member of the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery, remains barred from Parliament following allegations of “malicious criticism” by the Speaker. Mansaray told MRCG that the Privileges and Ethics Committee has yet to set a date for his hearing, and he plans to write an open letter to President Bio expressing his dissatisfaction.
One of the most serious cases documented is the murder of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia, Deputy Station Manager of Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio. Mattia was allegedly killed by Station Manager Joseph M Lamin and two others in Waterloo. The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to murder and murder, and the case has been committed to the High Court.
The report also follows up on the case of journalist Umu Thoronka, who was dismissed and allegedly harassed online after posting a TikTok video about a Presidential Town Hall Meeting. Despite her efforts, she has received no response from the Independent Media Commission (IMC) or SLAJ. Thoronka expressed fear for her safety and reluctance to return to Sierra Leone. On 19 September, Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) and RFK Human Rights submitted a petition to the ECOWAS Court on her behalf.
Lastly, freelance journalist Alie Badara reported receiving threatening phone calls in May 2024 over a Facebook post criticizing police actions against the drug “Kush.” He claims that both the police and the Anti-Corruption Commission are obstructing justice in his case, which remains unresolved.
The MRCG reiterated its commitment to defending freedom of expression and press rights, calling for stronger protections, institutional accountability, and support for journalists facing threats and harassment. The group emphasized that a free and safe media is essential to democratic dialogue, peacebuilding, and national development.
