The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists and the state of press freedom in Sierra Leone, following the release of its Fifteenth Press Freedom Report covering June to November 2025.
The report documents eight major cases involving intimidation, assault, threats, arrests, and cyber-related investigations targeting journalists and media practitioners across the country.
Among the cases highlighted is the alleged assault of Mohamed Mattia, a reporter in Kono, who was stabbed during an SLPP district executive election, and the reported intimidation of Christian Conteh of Truth Newspaper by police officers while covering a story in Freetown.
The report also details cyber-related investigations involving media personalities, including the invitation of Thomas Dixon, Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors, and Sahr Memphis, CEO of Born to Blog, under the Cyber Security and Crime Act.
According to MRCG, two of the eight cases remain inconclusive, reflecting a wider pattern of unresolved investigations into attacks against journalists. Since 2018, the organisation has monitored 104 press freedom cases, with 26 still under police investigation and nine abandoned.
MRCG warns that the increasing use of cybercrime laws, particularly provisions on cyberstalking and cyberbullying, continues to pose a threat to freedom of expression, especially on social media platforms.
The report further raises alarm over the growing dangers faced by women journalists, noting that Artificial Intelligence technologies such as deepfakes, automated trolling, and online harassment are intensifying gender-based attacks in the media space.
Despite these challenges, MRCG commended improvements in access to information, citing higher compliance levels by public institutions and stronger enforcement by the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC). However, the Commission continues to face logistical and financial constraints.
MRCG has called on the government, security agencies, political actors, and the public to ensure the protection of journalists and to end the culture of impunity for crimes against media professionals.
The organisation also urged stronger investment in the National Fund for Public Interest Media to promote media sustainability, independence, and democratic accountability.
The report concludes that while Sierra Leone has made progress in legal reforms, press freedom remains fragile and requires urgent collective action to safeguard democracy.
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