By Sulaiman Jalloh

The sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone, through the Parliamentary Privileges and Ethics Committee, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, engaged journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray in committee room one Parliament building. The hearing was fair and transparent as Melvin was given the platform to have his say on the matter.

Journalist Melvin was summoned to answer questions. He was accused of committing contempt of Parliament and insulting conduct. His summoning came fifty-three days after he was barred by House Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas from accessing the premises of Parliament.

In his opening statement, Hon PC Thor Thor Sheku Marah III, representing the people of Falaba District, Northern Sierra Leone, said the committee was established to look at cases of privilege and contempt, noting the mandate of the Privileges and Ethics Committee is enshrined in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and in tandem with Standing Orders 70 of Parliament, adding that the committee investigates matters and tables its reports to the House for consideration.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, opposition whip in Parliament, said the meeting was important and that as Members of Parliament, they are obliged to sit on matters of such nature, saying not for an individual involved but for the integrity and dignity of the House of Legislature, emphasizing that the matter was a public interest and that the integrity of the House of Legislature is on the balance. “We also need to protest the dignity of this House and to ensure we uphold the dignity of this house. We will continue to leave as Members of Parliament, and we will continue to leave as journalists,” he admonished attendees. He added that the relationship between Parliament and journalists would never end while advising both parties to do the needful for a better society.

Members of the committee suggested that people should be able to differentiate between legality and opinion.

Also speaking, Hon. Ibrahim Barrie from Bombali district, said both the Parliament and the media are two critical institutions in the democratic space of the country. He said, “One cannot succeed without the other,” adding Parliament is the supreme legislative of the country as they represent the people, and the Journalists play a fundamental role in keeping MPs on their toes to ensure that they communicate what they do at the well of Parliament.

Journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray, however, tendered his unreserved apology to the Speaker and Members of Parliament and expressed remorse for the things he had said against the House of Legislature and MPs. “On the consideration that the honorable Speaker and some Members of Parliament have felt aggrieved, I hereby profusely tender my unreserved apology and undertake to publicly withdraw my statement,” he remarked.

His apology underscores his commitment to reporting fairly while holding public authorities accountable. After Mansaray’s submission, the committee adjourned the sitting to a later date that would be announced by Parliament.