Sierra Leone News

Introduction

The old adage that a journalist is born and not made appears to have continued to gain currency in the Sierra Leone media, despite attempts to improve professionalism in the field through training. This is unfortunate, writes Bernadette Cole. Sound education and training is essential for professional, responsible journalism.

 The 1991 Democratic constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone specifically protects press freedom – unlike many other constitutions in Africa and around the world. Section 25(1) of the constitution forbids the hindering of “Freedom of expression… the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas without interference… freedom to own establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions, and academic freedom in institutions of learning”

I always find it comical when I talk to people who say they’ve been to Sierra Leone before.  I hear it all the time from UN personnel, certain IMATT soldiers, and countless NGO workers.  “I love the beaches! What do you like most about Freetown Rob?” “Having my back to it as I travel up line,” I always say. 

The changing face of the media in Sierra Leone cannot be fully assessed without an in-depth consideration of the political atmosphere in which the media operates. The political scene, to a great extent, influences media practice in every step of the way. Since the establishment of the first newspaper in the colonial era, the media in Sierra Leone has had to go through many phases of political change and that has affected journalism extensively.