European Union Supports Press Freedom Walk in Sierra Leone
The Press Freedom Walk was an opportunity to enhance awareness and to strengthen commitment to promoting, respecting and protecting free speech and press freedom in Sierra Leone. The Press Freedom Walk, under the theme 'Protect, Promote & Expand the Space', held simultaneously in Freetown as well as in the cities of Bo, Kenema and Makeni, also celebrated the repeal of the libel law which previously had criminalised free speech and the work of journalists in Sierra Leone.
At the event, Ambassador Manuel Müller reiterated the EU's global and strong commitment to protecting freedom of expression including press freedom, one of the hallmarks of a democracy, as vibrant media are vital to a healthy democracy and a driver of good governance, development, human rights and peace. He said the European Union welcomes Sierra Leone’s decision to repeal the criminal libel law in 2020 as a very positive step to protect freedom of expression and opinion including press freedom, acknowledging the instrumental role played in this process by the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and other civil society organizations, the Parliament and political parties. Making reference to a motto of the French newspaper Le Canard enchaîné (La liberté de la presse ne s’use que quand on ne s’en sert pas), he encouraged journalists to exercise press freedom as an effective way to protect it:
“Press freedom deteriorates if it is not used. It is a great joy to see journalists in Sierra Leone making use of press freedom. Freedom of expression, press freedom, is a right, it is not given by the State or someone else; it is a natural right.”
Ambassador Müller also recalled the essential work of brave journalists risking their lives in Ukraine to keep the world informed about Russia’s aggression on Ukraine and her people. He also commended the work of journalists being targeted by Russian authorities because of objective reporting.
President of the journalists association SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, said the walk was a symbolic way to celebrate the progress made in the area of press freedom in the last two years in Sierra Leone. Mr. Nasralla recalled the importance of continuing to promote, protect and respect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and press freedom, every day:
“This freedom walk is a reminder to us all that freedom of expression and of the press is not something we achieve with the abolition of legislation like the criminal libel law. It is far more than that, and it is an everyday battle.”
Mr. Nasralla and other participants at the event emphasized the importance of a responsible exercise of press freedom by the Sierra Leonean media, avoiding inflammatory and divisive messages and hate speech which would enhance tensions and polarisation, particularly in the run-up to the general elections scheduled in June 2023.
Representatives of the Ministry of Information, Judiciary, Police, Independent Media Commission, Human Rights Commission, Bar Association, CSOs, ordinary citizens and a number of journalists actively participated at the event and showed their steadfast support to free speech and press freedom in Sierra Leone.