PRESS FREEDOM ALERT!
Makeni | 29th May 2022
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Northern Region is worried about the health and well-being of journalist Sorie Saio Sesay, of Okentuhun Radio FM 94.0 in Kamakwie who was arrested on Thursday, 26th May, 2022 by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for allegedly “Publishing False Information” on social media about an incident between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and commercial bike riders in Makeni city on Thursday 26th May 2022.
According to Sorie, he was not the author but acknowledged that he mistakenly forwarded the said information from one Whatsapp group to his own Whatsapp group called Latest Happenings.
SLAJ National President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, and the Regional Chairman for the North, Sahr James Bangah, on Friday 27th May 2022 went to AIG Gabriel Tommy at the Mena Police Station in Makeni for the release of their colleague as the alleged offence was bailable but AIG Tommy refused to listen or talk with us, a conduct that could undermine the good relationship between the media and the SLP.
Sorie was yesterday 28th May 2022 escorted to Freetown for further investigations after spending two nights in police custody at Panlap police division in Makeni city. He is now in detention at the CID in Freetown.
In solidarity with our colleague,
SLAJ North calls on all media houses in the North-East Region to declare total news blackout on the activities of the SLP whilst calling for the immediate release of Sorie.
Long live SLAJ.
Long live Press Freedom.
signed:
*Sahr James Bangah*
Chairman SLAJ North
