Press Freedom Alert
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has been informed of the invitation of journalist Thomas Dixon, Chairman of the Guild of Editors, by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
While reports suggest his invitation follows publications relating to Leone Rock Metal Group, SLAJ is engaging with the police to ascertain the details of the matter and to ensure due process is followed.
We wish to assure our membership and the public that SLAJ is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as we continue to follow up with the relevant authorities.
Signed:
Edward Marrah
Secretary General, SLAJ
Gleaner Newspaper
Popular journalist and chairman of Sierra Leone’s Guild of Newspaper Editors, Thomas Dixon told the Gleaner Newspaper that Kabba Lavalie, Director of Cybersecurity at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), informed him that he would be detained at CID once officers obtained written statements from him. 
Lavalie reportedly stated that the detention would be the result of an investigation into the veracity of a News Alert published by the New Age Newspaper regarding a dispute between Chinese-owned Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT). Leone Rock Metal Group reportedly filed cyberbullying and cyberstalking complaints in response to the New Age’s coverage of NASSIT’s criminal summons against LRMG’s CEO.
