By Amin Kef Sesay
Sierra Leone’s Chief Electoral Commissioner, Edmond Sylvester Alpha of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), on Wednesday, 20th May 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) at its headquarters on Campbell Street in Freetown, in what both institutions described as a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening democratic governance ahead of the country’s 2028 multi-tier elections.
Far from being a ceremonial engagement, the meeting focused on the evolving role of the media in electoral transparency, combating misinformation and sustaining public trust in Sierra Leone’s democratic process.
Speaking during the engagement, Edmond Sylvester Alpha described the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists as the “nervous system” that sustains democracy, emphasizing the pivotal role journalists continue to play in preserving peace and credibility during elections.
He noted that Sierra Leone’s democratic journey, though commendable, remains a work in progress, stressing that modern elections are increasingly shaped by the information ecosystem rather than violence or armed conflict.
“We meet at a critical juncture. Sierra Leone’s journey from a post-conflict state to an emerging democracy remains a work in progress. Our elections are no longer about guns and militias; they are increasingly contested on the volatile battlefield of information,” he stated.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner commended journalists for serving as gatekeepers of truth and maintaining public discourse but warned against the growing influence of misinformation and politically motivated disinformation, especially on social media platforms.
“You are the gatekeepers of truth, the referees of public discourse and the most powerful counterweight against the chaos of misinformation,” Edmond Sylvester Alpha stated, while cautioning that political polarization continues to be fueled by deliberate disinformation campaigns.
He observed that anonymous bloggers and online commentators, many operating without editorial oversight, ethical frameworks or accountability, are increasingly shaping political narratives, often through unverified allegations and sensational content.
While acknowledging the importance of freedom of expression and the opportunities created by digital platforms, he stressed that the spread of fabricated scandals, false narratives and inflammatory content poses serious risks to electoral integrity and national cohesion.
Drawing from lessons learned in previous elections, Edmond Sylvester Alpha disclosed that misinformation has repeatedly undermined public confidence, noting that a single false headline could damage months of logistical planning while viral rumours often delegitimize transparent electoral outcomes.
He emphasized that as preparations intensify for the 2028 elections, the Commission’s primary objective remains the restoration and consolidation of public trust.
According to him, achieving that goal would require strong collaboration with professional media institutions, particularly SLAJ.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner announced that ECSL is proposing a formal partnership with SLAJ anchored on three key pillars. The first, he explained, is a Pre-bunking and Fact-Checking Alliance, through which SLAJ would lead a national coalition of journalists dedicated to proactive fact-checking. Under the arrangement, ECSL would provide journalists with real-time electoral information and procedural clarifications to enable them debunk falsehoods before they gain traction.
The second pillar focuses on the Professionalization of Digital Electoral Coverage, with ECSL encouraging SLAJ to strengthen its code of ethics to explicitly address election reporting on digital and social media platforms. He proposed joint training programmes targeting both mainstream journalists and responsible social media content creators to promote ethical and professional reporting.
The third proposal, described as a Blogger Engagement Framework, seeks to recognize bloggers as important stakeholders while encouraging accountability. Edmond Sylvester Alpha proposed a structured engagement mechanism under SLAJ’s leadership to distinguish responsible commentary from harmful disinformation.
Addressing members of SLAJ, he reiterated that democracy demands active participation and stressed that journalists play an indispensable role in safeguarding peace during elections.
“Every headline you write, every fact you verify and every call you make to ignore sensationalism in favour of accuracy directly contributes to the stability of our nation,” he emphasized.
He added that the 2028 elections would serve as a test of Sierra Leone’s democratic maturity, expressing optimism that both ECSL and SLAJ would stand united in preserving truth, transparency and public confidence.
Responding on behalf of SLAJ, President of the Association, Alhaji Manika Kamara, described the visit as historic and timely, underscoring the significance of strengthening collaboration between the Electoral Commission and the media in safeguarding democracy.
He recalled the longstanding working relationship between SLAJ and ECSL, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to promoting free, fair and credible elections through responsible journalism.
“Our shared goal is clear: free, fair and credible elections anchored in accurate and responsible reporting,” Alhaji Manika Kamara stated.
While acknowledging that some journalists maintain political affiliations, he emphasized that such associations must never compromise the neutrality and integrity of SLAJ as a professional institution.
“Our duty is to the public, not to any political party,” he stressed.
On efforts to address misinformation, Alhaji Manika Kamara revealed that SLAJ is concluding the training of 70 female journalists at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to strengthen digital reporting and professional standards.
He further disclosed that SLAJ, alongside the Independent Media Commission, the Ministry of Civic Education and other partners, is reviewing the IMC Act to establish a regulatory framework for online media operations without undermining freedom of expression.
Welcoming the proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding between ECSL and SLAJ, he assured the Commission of the media’s readiness to support democratic processes while maintaining professional independence.
The Chief Electoral Commissioner was accompanied by Abubakar Koroma, Commissioner for the North and Alex Saffa, Commissioner for the East. Senior SLAJ officials, including Vice President Richard Ngavoh, Financial Secretary Mohamed Konneh, Public Affairs Secretary Madam Umu Bakarr, and Secretary General Edward Farah Marah, who chaired the meeting, were also in attendance.
