The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has intensified its campaign for stronger constitutional protection of freedom of expression and the media, calling for the inclusion of a stand-alone chapter on Free Speech and Press Freedom in Sierra Leone’s new Constitution.
SLAJ made the case during a stakeholder engagement held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Civil Service Training College on State Avenue in Freetown.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Law Officers’ Department, human rights groups, Civil Society Organisations, the Inter-Religious Council, Children’s Forum Network, women’s organisations and media stakeholders to discuss the proposed constitutional provisions and solicit recommendations.
SLAJ President, Alhaji Manika Kamara, said the campaign goes beyond protecting journalists, stressing that freedom of expression is a fundamental right that should be clearly guaranteed for every Sierra Leonean.
“The stand-alone chapter is not just for journalists but for the citizens of Sierra Leone. It guarantees the right to express oneself freely within the bounds of the law and protects the media’s independence from undue interference,” Alhaji Manika Kamara said.
He maintained that although Sections 11 and 25 of the 1991 Constitution contain provisions relating to freedom of expression and the press, stronger and more explicit safeguards are needed to protect those rights.
According to the SLAJ President, the proposal is consistent with recommendations contained in the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Committee Report, which called for media rights and freedom of expression to be accorded distinct constitutional recognition.
“The Cowan Report recommended that media rights and free speech be given their rightful place in the Constitution; a clear, dedicated chapter that leaves no room for ambiguity,” he stated.
Alhaji Manika Kamara cited Ghana and South Africa as examples of African countries with stronger constitutional provisions protecting freedom of expression and the media, arguing that Sierra Leone could draw lessons from their experiences as it reviews its Constitution.
Lawyer Paul Kamara, in a detailed presentation on the conceptual framework of free speech and press freedom, outlined key recommendations for consideration in the proposed stand-alone chapter.
He underscored the importance of providing constitutional safeguards for media independence and citizens’ freedom of expression, arguing that constitutional protection offers greater security for fundamental rights.
“A constitutional guarantee is the strongest form of protection for media independence and citizens’ rights to free expression,” he said.
Lead facilitator, Dr. Isaac Massaquoi, who represented SLAJ on the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, welcomed the progress made in advancing the proposal and commended successive SLAJ leaderships for sustaining the campaign.
He, however, cautioned that more engagement would be required before the objective could be fully achieved.
“This is work in progress,” Dr. Isaac Massaquoi said, encouraging the current SLAJ leadership to continue engaging relevant institutions and stakeholders to build broader support for the proposal.
Participants also presented recommendations aimed at strengthening the proposed chapter and ensuring that the constitutional reform process is inclusive and comprehensive.
Dr. Francis Sowa, Esq., National Coordinator of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), called for the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to be entrenched in the Constitution rather than existing solely through an Act of Parliament.
“The IMC must be part of the Constitution to ensure its independence and protect media practitioners,” Dr. Francis Sowa said.
Charles Israel Williams, Esq., proposed that SLAJ consider advocating for a Media Practitioners’ Act similar to the Legal Practitioners’ Act governing the legal profession.
He argued that such legislation could establish clearer professional standards and ethics for media practitioners while promoting accountability and professionalism within the industry.
The stakeholder engagement forms part of SLAJ’s continuing advocacy for constitutional reforms that provide stronger guarantees for freedom of expression, media independence and the public’s right to information.
The initiative is being implemented under the MEDIA Project, supported by the European Union through BBC Media Action, as SLAJ continues its campaign for a dedicated chapter on Free Speech and Press Freedom in Sierra Leone’s new Constitution.
