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Media Reform – 1996

No media reforms were undertaken following the accord. Despite numerous promises to protect free speech and freedom of the press made in 1996, “the government of President Kabbah has shown intolerance toward criticism of its policies or officials by banning newspapers that publish uncomplimentary articles and detaining journalists. The frequent use of criminal libel and sedition charges against independent journalists has encouraged self-censorship, and the imposition of heavy fines is financially crippling the private press.” Torchlight, a new independent newspaper, was shutdown and officially banned on the day of its first issue which contained a story critical of the President. ¹

1. “Sierra Leone 1996,” Committee to Protect Journalists, accessed Jan 19, 2015, https://www.cpj.org/attacks96/countries/africa/sierraleonerhs.html.