“These gains we have made were a result of our change of approach from being aggressive or confrontational to engaging in constructive dialogue with the Government of Sierra Leone without mortgaging our independence and our fundamental role of holding them to account,” SLAJ President Nasralla said.
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, has marked World Press Freedom Day 2024 with a rallying cry for the protection and preservation of journalistic freedoms in Sierra Leone.
The call was made during a panel discussion on “Press Freedom and its Importance to Democracy.” An event organized by the US Embassy in Partnership with SLAJ at the American Shelf, Fourah Bay College Library, Mount Aureol in Freetown
Nasralla’s statement acknowledges the strides made in advancing press freedom and media development in Sierra Leone, particularly citing the landmark repeal of the criminal libel law in 2021 as a foundational step. He highlights key milestones, including the establishment of the National Fund for Public Interest Media and the enactment of the SLAJ Media Manifesto, as critical achievements in shaping the country’s media landscape.
“These gains we have made were a result of our change of approach from being aggressive or confrontational to engaging in constructive dialogue with the Government of Sierra Leone without mortgaging our independence and our fundamental role of holding them to account,” Nasralla said.
Despite these advancements, Nasralla acknowledges the persistent challenges faced by journalists, particularly concerning safety, welfare, and online threats. He emphasizes the imperative of ensuring journalists’ security and calls upon the government, politicians, and law enforcement agencies to uphold their duty in safeguarding press freedom.
“The RSF’s World Press Freedom Index 2024 released shows Sierra Leone moved 10 places upwards from 74 in 2023 to 64 in 2024. However, despite these developments, we still have a long way to go in advocating for increased press freedom and protection of journalists’ rights,” Nasralla said.
Nasralla also underscores the global theme of “A Press for the Planet,” urging journalists to continue raising awareness on environmental issues and monitoring government efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13.
Nasralla reaffirms SLAJ’s unwavering commitment to defending press freedom and advocating for journalists’ rights. He extends solidarity to journalists worldwide, including those in conflict zones like Gaza, and calls for concerted efforts in championing the values of press freedom for a more transparent and democratic society.
As the world observed World Press Freedom Day, Nasralla’s impassioned plea serves as a reminder of the vital role journalists play in upholding democracy and underscores the collective responsibility to safeguard their freedoms.
