By Hassan Osman Kargbo
For far too long, the issue of police brutality against journalists has been plaguing the media since its conception, and governments all over the world are guilty of it. This has always been a big problem for effective media coverage and the enhancement of democracy in the country. The fact of the matter is that Governments seem to be jealous of the power of the media in influencing public opinion; they perceive the media as a powerful rival in directing behaviours and attitudes.
This has led to many people to attack a lot of Journalists in the country. It’s not a secret that we have had series of attacked of Journalist in the media landscape because they expressed their views on crucial matters in the country. We have seen a press release from the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists condemning the attacks on certain journalists. On the 6th of June 2024 SLAJ Condemns Online Attacks Against Journalist Thomas Dixon.
The release stated that: The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is deeply concerned about recent online attacks against journalist Thomas Josephus Dixon, especially from Anthony Vandy writing on social media. The journalist also reported receiving threatening SMS and WhatsApp messages from unknown mobile phone numbers.
Dixon, the Editor of Salone Times Newspaper, is an outspoken socio-political commentator and a vocal critic of public officials he believes are abusing their offices. The recent online attacks and threats emanated from his Facebook post accusing the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, of being arrogant.
“These continuous online attacks on journalists for merely expressing their views and opinions on public officials and national issues are unwarranted. Democracy and good governance thrive on the right of citizens (including journalists) to freely express themselves. We are seeing a consistent pattern of fanatic and overzealous political supporters attacking journalists and political commentators whose publications they disagree with. We urge politicians and public officials to admonish their supporters to refrain from such undemocratic and ill-motivated endeavour,” said the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, part of the release stated.
SLAJ has also received a complaint from its former Secretary SLAJ Southern Region, Alie Badara, of receiving death threats and threats to burn his house allegedly from supporters loyal to the AIG Southern Region of the Sierra Leone Police. Dixon and Badara have been advised to officially report their cases to the police, while the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has been informed about the alleged attacks. SLAJ believes that the safety and well-being of journalists must be safeguarded, both online and offline. No journalist should fear for their life or face intimidation simply for doing their job, it stated.
Moreover, the role of the media is exposing wrongdoings by Governments has also shaped the strained relationship between the media and the former. In order to hide their dirty acts, Governments use uncouth means of force to keep the media at bay. In worst case scenarios, journalists who brave it in doing their work face the bullets. In most cases, police effect forceful arrests and detain journalist without respect to the law.
It is against this gloomy state of affairs that we need to join SLAJ in appealing to the State to provide a secure working environment for journalists to do their work as partners in development and the promotion of democracy and good governance.
This call cannot come at a better time like this when hate speech is all over the place. Also, State security agents should not consider the media as enemies; rather, the two should work in tandem to achieve democratic ideals. The police should be more pro-active and positive in ensuring that journalists are safe and protected on the ground.
We are in no way saying that journalists are above the law and should have a field day even when it comes to respecting security protocols. However, security agents should recognize the role of media and deal with the latter in respectful and dignified manner that will repose confidence in them. Journalist security is vital for a peace and safe envelope. Because in most cases, security agents behave to journalists in a rash manner that does not befit the status of the media in a democracy.
We are also calling media practitioners to exhibit a reasonable dosage of responsibility in the discharge of their duty to enhance their security and safety without which they cannot do their work. They should reciprocate regard by the security sector with compliance with security protocols. It’s give-and-take for a win-win situation.
