Freetown, 3rd June, 2026 – The Guild of Newspaper Editors (GoNE) has strongly condemned what it described as a troubling police intrusion at the offices of Voice of Salone newspaper, raising concerns about press freedom and democratic space in Sierra Leone.
According to reports, officers of the Sierra Leone Police entered the newspaper’s premises on Monday, June 1, and requested that Editor David Johnson accompany them to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The move was linked to a recent publication titled “Mystery Surrounds Alleged Cocaine Seizure at Portee Wharf.”
In a statement, the Guild acknowledged the police’s constitutional mandate to investigate criminal conduct but stressed that such powers must be exercised “within the confines of the law and in a manner that respects the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.”
The Guild emphasized that reporting on matters of public interest, including allegations of wrongdoing, is central to the media’s watchdog role in a democracy. “It is neither un
lawful nor improper for journalists to report on issues that raise legitimate public concern,” the statement noted, adding that journalists are not investigators for the state nor repositories of evidence for law enforcement agencies.
The Guild warned that actions such as the police visit could create a chilling effect on investigative journalism, discouraging reporters from pursuing sensitive stories for fear of reprisals or harassment.
GoNE has called on the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police to provide a clear explanation of the incident and to reassure the public that the constitutional rights of journalists will be respected.
“The freedom of the press is not a privilege granted by the State; it is a constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen and an indispensable pillar of democratic governance,” the Guild declared.
