SLAJ Writes Parliament on the Counter-Terrorism Bill, 2024: Raising Concerns Over Press Freedom
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has formally submitted its position paper to Parliament, highlighting grave concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed Counter-Terrorism Act, 2024, on freedom of expression and press freedom in Sierra Leone.
While recognizing the need for robust legislation to address national security threats, SLAJ emphasizes that the broad and vague provisions in the proposed law could be misused to criminalize legitimate journalistic work and restrict public discourse. Of particular concern are sections that:
i) Expand the definition of terrorism in a way that could encompass journalistic reporting on protests, security issues, and government actions.
ii) Criminalize information dissemination, imposing severe penalties on journalists who report on topics deemed sensitive, even in the public interest.
iii) Introduce harsh penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, for acts that could be interpreted as ‘inducing terrorism,’ such as investigative reporting or interviewing controversial figures.
iv) Fail to provide safeguards to distinguish between journalistic work and genuine terrorist propaganda, increasing the risk of wrongful prosecution.
SLAJ reminds Parliament and the Government of Sierra Leone that Section 25 of the Sierra Leone Constitution, as well as international treaties such as Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), guarantee the fundamental right to freedom of expression and press freedom.
The position paper calls for:
i) A clear and precise definition of terrorism to exclude journalistic activities and ensure that political expression and peaceful assembly are not misclassified as acts of terrorism.
ii) Exemptions for journalists and media professionals from criminal liability when reporting on sensitive issues in the public interest.
iii) Reduction of excessive penalties that could intimidate journalists and lead to self-censorship.
iv) Judicial oversight and review to prevent misuse of the Act and safeguard journalists from arbitrary arrests and prosecutions.
v) Establishment of a media oversight body to review cases where journalists are accused under the Act, ensuring fair application of the law.
SLAJ warns that the passage of such legislation without critical amendments would modernize and strengthen repressive laws, replacing previous restrictive laws with even more sophisticated legal tools to silence dissent.
“We have seen how the Cyber Security and Crime Law has been used to detain journalists and civil actors, effectively replacing the notorious criminal libel law. A Counter-Terrorism law on top of that opens more opportunities for suppression of critical journalists and dissenting views.
“This law, like the cyber law, may appear neutral, but they are always enforced selectively. Today, it may seem targeted at one group; tomorrow, it will be used against another. We are against the criminalization of journalism under the guise of national security. So we kindly urge Parliament to take our concerns into consideration when enacting this bill,” said SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
SLAJ remains committed to engaging with Parliament, civil society, and international partners to ensure that any counter-terrorism legislation strikes the right balance between national security and fundamental freedoms.
-SLAJ Secretariat
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