Sierra Leone’s main journalists’ body and other media
stakeholders have urged the government to adopt a stand-alone constitutional chapter guaranteeing press freedom and freedom of expression, during talks with the attorney general as part of the country’s ongoing constitutional review process.
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and civil society representatives met Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay and his deputy, Saptieu Saccoh, on Thursday to discuss proposals for what they envision as a dedicated chapter in the constitution focused on media freedom and access to information.
The engagement follows earlier consultations in February 2025, when SLAJ formally submitted a proposal seeking explicit constitutional protections for freedom of expression.
SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara said Sierra Leoneans deserved clear constitutional guarantees, particularly amid debate over a Constitutional Amendment Bill currently before parliament.
He said the absence of detailed protections had at times contributed to public apprehension about expressing independent views on national issues for fear of political backlash. Kamara cited countries such as Kenya, whose constitution contains detailed and enforceable provisions safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms.
Sesay described the meeting as constructive and acknowledged the role of journalists in the constitutional reform process.
“Journalists have accompanied Sierra Leone’s constitutional review process and remain a crucial part of this national exercise,” he said, adding that his office welcomed SLAJ’s submission.
He outlined the history of reform efforts, referencing recommendations from the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as committees set up under former presidents Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and Ernest Bai Koroma.
Sesay said that following the disputed 2023 general elections, a tripartite committee comprising representatives of the ruling SLPP, the opposition APC and international partners produced 80 agreed recommendations. Many of these, he said, are reflected in the current amendment bill before parliament.
He added that the bill focuses primarily on electoral reforms ahead of the next general elections, expected in just over two years, while broader constitutional reforms are set to continue until the end of 2026.
Proposals under consideration include strengthening the Bill of Rights in Chapter III of the 1991 Constitution and introducing new provisions on citizenship, local governance, land and environmental management.
Sesay said that if the proposal for a stand-alone media freedom chapter is adopted, the Law Officers’ Department would work closely with SLAJ to draft provisions to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.
Media stakeholders at the meeting included former SLAJ presidents, representatives of women’s and sports journalists’ associations, the Guild of Editors, the Independent Media Commission and civil society groups.
The engagement ended with both sides pledging continued collaboration as the constitutional review process advances.
