By Michaella Faith Wright
Media professionals and civil society actors are calling on the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to maintain its role as an impartial guardian of press freedom, urging the body to steer clear of political biases and factual inaccuracies that threaten its credibility.
FREETOWN – In a time when the role of the media is more critical than ever, concerns are growing over the need for the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to reaffirm its commitment to neutrality and accuracy in all its operations and public engagements.
Several members of the media community have expressed frustration over what they describe as growing signs of favoritism and selective responses to issues affecting journalists. They say such tendencies could erode public trust and compromise SLAJ’s core mission of defending press freedom and ethical journalism.
“SLAJ must be an umbrella body that shelters all journalists regardless of their affiliations,” said Aminata Conteh, a freelance journalist based in Bo. “When the association begins to take sides, it loses its moral authority to speak on behalf of the profession.”
The calls for reform come amid recent public criticism over SLAJ’s handling of controversies involving media houses perceived to be aligned with different political parties. Observers say while SLAJ has been swift in condemning certain actions, it has remained silent or ambiguous on others of similar nature.
Civil society advocate Ibrahim Koroma of the Centre for Accountability and Media Integrity emphasized the importance of consistency in SLAJ’s pronouncements. “Selective silence is dangerous. SLAJ must uphold the same standards for everyone. That’s what builds credibility,” he stated.
Meanwhile, young and upcoming journalists have also joined the chorus, demanding a more inclusive and supportive association that champions their welfare and professional growth without fear or favor.
In response to the concerns, SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla has reiterated the association’s commitment to impartiality. “We take all concerns seriously and continue to work towards strengthening institutional transparency and accountability. SLAJ belongs to all journalists,” he said in a brief phone interview.
As the media landscape in Sierra Leone continues to evolve, stakeholders insist that SLAJ must lead by example, ensuring that its actions reflect the journalistic values of fairness, truth, and integrity—values that are vital for a healthy democracy.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
