Growing concerns over online harassment, intimidation and threats against female journalists in Sierra Leone have renewed calls for stronger protection of media practitioners, particularly women involved in political interviews and public accountability programmes.
The experiences of Liberty TV presenters Khadijah Bangura and Mabel Kabba have brought attention to the challenges confronting female journalists who question public officials and facilitate discussions on politically sensitive national issues.
The concerns followed controversy surrounding Liberty TV’s Online Breakfast Show broadcast on 19 October 2026, featuring Moses Sellu Mambu, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
During the programme, comments attributed to Moses Sellu Mambu concerning journalists Victor Jones of AYV Media Empire and Thomas Dixon, President of the Guild of Newspaper Editors, generated concerns within the media fraternity.
On 21 October 2026, Victor Jones formally complained to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), alleging that Moses Sellu Mambu had accused him of pursuing an agenda against the ruling party and conspiring with Thomas Dixon to submit a false report against him.
Responding on 28 October 2026, SLAJ disclosed that its Secretary-General, Edward Fara Marrah, had contacted Moses Sellu Mambu for clarification.
According to SLAJ, Moses Sellu Mambu explained that his comments concerning an alleged anti-SLPP agenda referred to media institutions rather than Victor Jones personally. However, he maintained his allegation concerning the purported false report.
After reviewing the available evidence, including a recording of the programme, SLAJ rejected the conspiracy allegation, stating that its records contained no evidence supporting the claim.
The Association warned that publicly associating journalists with political hostility could damage their professional reputations and expose them to intimidation or harassment.
SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara emphasized that journalists have a constitutional responsibility to inform citizens, scrutinize public officials and promote accountability without being portrayed as political opponents.
Although the controversy principally concerned Victor Jones and Thomas Dixon, it has renewed discussions about the working environment of female presenters, including Khadijah Bangura and Mabel Kabba.
International research has highlighted the seriousness of gender-based harassment in journalism. A UNESCO study conducted with the International Center for Journalists found that 73 per cent of surveyed women journalists had experienced online violence connected to their professional responsibilities.
In Sierra Leone, findings presented during a media safeguarding dialogue in August 2026 indicated that 57 per cent of surveyed female media professionals had experienced online sexual harassment, compared with 32 per cent of male respondents.
Such experiences can discourage women from participating in public discussions, investigating sensitive matters and pursuing journalism careers.
Nevertheless, protecting journalists does not exempt them from professional accountability. In August 2026, the Independent Media Commission directed Liberty TV to issue a clarification and retraction concerning unsubstantiated claims made during an earlier programme involving Khadijah Bangura and Mabel Kabba.
The ruling reinforced the importance of accuracy, verification and fairness in responsible journalism.
Media freedom advocates maintain that legitimate criticism of journalistic conduct must be distinguished from personal intimidation, gender-based abuse and threats.
Political representatives, media institutions and regulatory authorities therefore have a responsibility to encourage respectful engagement while addressing complaints through established procedures.
Strengthening journalist safety ultimately requires effective institutional protection, professional responsibility and respect for freedom of expression.
For Khadijah Bangura, Mabel Kabba and other female journalists, the central concern remains ensuring that they can question authority, facilitate public debate and perform their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.
