Freetown, 6th October 2026- The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has condemned an alleged threat made against journalist and newspaper editor Thomas Josephus Dixon, describing the incident as a serious concern for press freedom and journalists’ safety in the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, SLAJ said Dixon, who serves as Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors and Managing Editor of the New Age Newspaper, reported that he was threatened by Moses Sellu Mambu, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party’s National Publicity Secretary, following a television programme at Africa Young Voices (AYV) in Freetown on September 27.

According to a formal complaint lodged with the journalists’ body, Dixon alleged that after the live programme, Mambu approached him in the presence of programme presenter Victor Jones and videographer Abu Bakarr Kamara and stated: “We will hit you hard! This is the same reason for which your friend Samura was killed the last time.”

SLAJ said Jones later provided a formal eyewitness account that corroborated Dixon’s allegation.

The association described the reported statement as “extremely grave and disturbing,” particularly because it allegedly referenced the late journalist Ibrahim Samura, who died after sustaining injuries from a physical assault while covering the 2018 elections. Criminal proceedings related to the case later ended in acquittals.

Given the seriousness of the allegation, SLAJ has called for an immediate, impartial and credible investigation by the relevant authorities.

SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara said threats against journalists should not be treated as personal disputes but as attacks on press freedom and the public’s right to information.

“A threat against a journalist should not be seen as a personal matter only; it is a direct threat to the free press and, by extension, the public’s right to know. Journalists must never be forced to choose between carrying out their professional duty and protecting their lives,” Kamara said.

He added that the reported reference to the death of another journalist made the allegation especially alarming and stressed that a proper investigation was necessary to establish the facts.

“What cannot be acceptable is for any journalist to be left living in fear because of his or her professional work,” he said.

However, SLAJ noted that Mambu has denied making the alleged threat. According to the association, he told Secretary-General Edward Fara Marrah that he had merely advised Dixon to be careful after the programme.

The association is urging the Sierra Leone Police and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter swiftly, establish the facts surrounding the incident and take any action deemed necessary.

SLAJ has also called on the leadership of the SLPP to publicly reaffirm its commitment to the safety of journalists and make clear that threats or intimidation against media practitioners are unacceptable, regardless of political affiliation.

The journalists’ body further urged authorities to assess the security concerns raised by Dixon and, where necessary, provide appropriate measures to ensure the safety of him and his family while investigations continue.

Reaffirming its position, SLAJ said freedom of expression and press freedom cannot be fully guaranteed where journalists are forced to operate under threats, intimidation or fear for their safety.

The association said it would continue monitoring developments and stands ready to support the affected journalist within its mandate while encouraging political actors and public officials to address disagreements with the media through lawful and democratic means.

“SLAJ remains unequivocal: criticism of journalism may be legitimate; intimidation and threats against journalists are not,” the statement concluded.