The monthly ‘Media Freedom Review’ is a publication of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG). It is produced by monitoring and reporting on freedom of expression, press freedom, internet freedom, digital and online rights, and the safety and security of journalists in Sierra Leone.
In April 2026, MRCG monitored the assault and detention of a journalist in Freetown. It also followed up on the detention of a musician Alhaji Amadu Bah (alias LAJ), the trial of the Main Opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) party’s Secretary General, and the trial of a celebrity, Zainab Sheriff, the intimidation of journalist Lamarana Bah, the alleged threat and physical assault to journalists, the murder of a journalist in Waterloo, and the barring of a journalist from entering Sierra Leone’s Parliament.
On 4 April 2026, journalist Paul Kamara Esq, a media trainer and legal practitioner, was reportedly assaulted by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) whilst investigating a matter at the Adonkia Police Station, Western Rural District. According to Mr. Kamara, he was assaulted, forcibly restrained, dragged, and pepper-sprayed after an interaction with the police. The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), in a press release dated 5 April 2026, called on the leadership of the SLP to institute an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the incident and urged that any officers found responsible be held fully accountable in accordance with the law. The media trainer told MRCG that he had reported the matter to the Independent Police Complaint Board (IPCB). IPCB, in a press release dated 7 April 2026, stated that it had commenced a preliminary investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with the Board’s mandate.
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