The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting universal access to accurate, timely and credible information, describing the right to information as fundamental to democracy, accountability and meaningful public participation.
The Association made the commitment as Sierra Leone joined the global community on 28 September 2026 to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
SLAJ President, Alhaji Manika Kamara, said journalists have a responsibility to verify information, uphold professional and ethical standards and provide the public with accurate and contextualized reporting. He, however, stressed that journalists cannot effectively perform that responsibility without timely access to credible information and responsive public institutions.
“As journalists, we have a responsibility to verify information, uphold professional and ethical standards and provide the public with accurate and contextualized information. But journalists cannot effectively perform that role without timely access to credible information and responsive public institutions,” Alhaji Manika Kamara stated.
SLAJ noted that the rapid expansion of digital platforms has created significant opportunities for citizens to access, produce and share information. At the same time, the Association said the digital transformation has intensified challenges associated with misinformation, disinformation and malinformation.
According to Alhaji Manika Kamara, greater access to reliable information from public institutions remains critical to confronting those challenges and protecting the integrity of information available to the public.
“When accurate information is accessible, false information has less room to thrive. Transparency is one of our strongest defences against information disorder,” he said.
The SLAJ President further maintained that information integrity begins with access, arguing that openness by Government institutions provides citizens and journalists with credible information against which questionable claims can be assessed.
“Information integrity begins with access. When Governments communicate openly and institutions provide timely information, citizens are better equipped to distinguish facts from falsehoods,” Alhaji Manika Kamara stated.
Against that backdrop, SLAJ called on public institutions to strengthen compliance with their access-to-information obligations, proactively disclose information of public interest and cultivate a stronger culture of openness, accountability and transparency.
The Association also urged journalists and media organisations to continue observing professional standards in gathering, verifying and disseminating information. It similarly called on technology platforms and citizens to exercise responsibility in producing, sharing and consuming information, particularly within the rapidly evolving digital environment.
SLAJ maintained that tackling information disorder requires collective responsibility involving Government institutions, journalists, media organisations, technology platforms and citizens.
“The fight against information disorder is not the responsibility of journalists alone. It requires Government, the media, technology platforms and citizens to collectively defend the public’s right to know and the integrity of information,” Alhaji Manika Kamara said.
SLAJ’s renewed emphasis on access to information comes against the backdrop of its continuing advocacy for journalists to have unhindered professional access to public institutions.
On Friday, 25 September 2026, Alhaji Manika Kamara called on the Speaker of Parliament to reconsider the decision barring journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray from entering the premises of the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
He made the appeal while addressing members of the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery during their Extraordinary General Meeting at Committee Room 1 of the Parliament Building. The meeting was held under the theme: “From Draft to Covenant: Securing the Gallery’s Future.”
Addressing journalists at the meeting, Alhaji Manika Kamara emphasized that the media is not an extension of Parliament’s Public Relations wing but an independent institution with a public-interest responsibility to inform citizens and hold public institutions accountable through professional journalism.
While defending journalists’ right to carry out their work, the SLAJ President equally urged members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, accuracy and integrity.
He reminded journalists covering Parliament that their professional responsibility is not to represent political parties or partisan interests but to serve the people of Sierra Leone by providing credible and balanced information on matters of public interest.
Alhaji Manika Kamara reaffirmed SLAJ’s commitment to constructive engagement with Parliament and other public institutions while defending the professional independence of journalists and their ability to access information and report in the public interest.
The Association said the principles of access, transparency and responsible journalism remain particularly important in the digital age, where information can spread rapidly and inaccurate content can potentially undermine public trust.
SLAJ therefore stressed that strengthening access to credible information, protecting professional journalism and encouraging greater institutional transparency are essential to building an informed society and safeguarding the public’s right to know.
