Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) have formally appealed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Alpha Sesay, to grant access to the final version of the proposed Counter Terrorism Act before it is printed and sent to the President for approval.
In a joint letter sent to the Attorney General on the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla and MRCG National Coordinator Dr. Francis Sowa commended the Attorney General’s openness to dialogue and past engagement with media groups during the legislative process. They noted their concerns about certain provisions in the bill that could unintentionally restrict press freedom and freedom of expression, especially those broadly defining terrorism-related offences.
SLAJ and MRCG stressed that they had been assured by the Attorney General’s office and leaders in Parliament that their input was considered and that the African Union Model Law on Counter Terrorism was being used as a guide.
Citing lessons from the passage of the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021, which they say did not fully address earlier media concerns, the organisations urged for transparency to avoid a repeat. They stressed the importance of balancing national security with democratic freedoms.
The appeal aligns with this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme: “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The groups expressed hope for a positive response from the Attorney General’s office.
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