BY HASSAN OSMAN KARGBO
The Guild of Newspaper Editors in Sierra Leone has issued a strong condemnation of the violent assault on journalist Prince Christopher Kamara, Editor of Open Space Newspaper, allegedly carried out by multiple employees of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
In a press release issued shortly after the incident, the Guild described the attack as a grave violation of press freedom and a direct affront to the constitutional rights of journalists in the country. According to Ishmail Saidu Kanu, Secretary General of the Guild, Mr. Kamara had visited the SLBC premises to verify reports of an internal staff strike. While on site, he was identified by several SLBC employees as the author of a recent critical article. What followed was a violent assault by more than a dozen individuals, leaving Mr. Kamara with a head injury before he was forcibly ejected from the compound.
“The Guild views the assault on Mr. Kamara as not only a gross violation of his rights but also a dangerous precedent for media freedom in Sierra Leone,” said Ishmail. “Journalists must be free to investigate and report without fear of physical harm or intimidation.”
The Guild has called on SLBC management to launch a thorough, impartial investigation into the incident and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law. The Guild emphasizes that this was not just an attack on one individual, but an attack on the principles of press freedom and democratic accountability in Sierra Leone.
Thomas Josephus Dixon, Chairman of the Guild, also weighed in, condemning what he described as “media gangsterism,” urging fellow media professionals to reject violence and intolerance within their own ranks.
“The media that is always probing and giving opinions of others should be more tolerable when the beam light is turned on itself,” Dixon said. “Media gangsterism should not be encouraged. We are trained to use our pens and microphones intelligently. Let us reject media gangsterism.”
He added that while journalists must be accountable, the proper recourse for grievances is through ethical engagement, not physical violence.
The Guild’s statement has sparked a wave of solidarity among media professionals across the country. Several media houses have echoed the call for justice, and reaffirmed their commitment to the protection and freedom of all journalists in the line of duty.
“The press plays a vital role in strengthening democracy and holding power to account,” the Guild’s statement concluded. “We stand in solidarity with Mr. Kamara and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights, dignity, and safety of all media professionals in Sierra Leone.”
The incident has also drawn concern from press freedom advocacy groups, both locally and internationally. Observers warn that if such attacks go unpunished, it could embolden further violence against journalists and undermine Sierra Leone’s standing on press freedom indices.
As of this report, SLBC has not issued an official response to the allegations or the Guild’s demands. Meanwhile, Mr. Kamara is reportedly recovering from his injuries and is expected to make a formal complaint to law enforcement authorities.
