The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) on Friday, 4 September 2026, engaged key stakeholders on its proposal for a stand-alone chapter on Free Speech and Press Freedom in Sierra Leone’s new Constitution.
The engagement, held at the Civil Service Training College on State Avenue in Freetown, brought together representatives of the Law Officers’ Department, human rights activists, civil society organisations, the Inter-Religious Council, the Children’s Forum Network, women’s organisations and media stakeholders.
Before lawyer Paul Kamara’s presentation on the proposed chapter, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara stressed the need for stronger and more explicit constitutional protection for free speech and press freedom.
“The stand-alone chapter is not just for journalists but for the citizens of Sierra Leone. It guarantees the right to express oneself freely within the bounds of the law and protects the media’s independence from undue interference,” he said.
President Kamara said the proposal was consistent with the recommendations of the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, which recommended that media rights be separately enshrined in the Constitution rather than subsumed under general provisions.
“The Cowan Report recommended that media rights and free speech be given their rightful place in the Constitution – a clear, dedicated chapter that leaves no room for ambiguity,” he added.
While Sections 11 and 25 of the 1991 Constitution provide guarantees for freedom of expression and the press, President Kamara pointed to limitations in the existing provisions. He argued that a stand-alone chapter would provide clearer and stronger constitutional protection for free speech and press freedom.
He cited Ghana and South Africa as examples of countries whose constitutions provide stronger protections for freedom of expression and the media, urging Sierra Leone to draw lessons from their experiences.
Lawyer Paul Kamara delivered a detailed presentation on the conceptual framework of press freedom and free speech, outlining key recommendations for the proposed stand-alone chapter.
He emphasised the importance of constitutional protection, noting that “a constitutional guarantee is the strongest form of protection for media independence and citizens’ rights to free expression.”
The lead facilitator, Dr Isaac Massaquoi, who represented SLAJ on the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Committee, expressed appreciation to successive SLAJ leaderships for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing the Association in the constitutional review process.
Dr Massaquoi welcomed the progress made so far but cautioned that “this is work in progress.” He encouraged the current SLAJ leadership to sustain engagement with relevant stakeholders to help move the process towards completion.
Stakeholders also made a number of observations and recommendations aimed at strengthening the proposed chapter and ensuring that the process remains inclusive and comprehensive.
Dr Francis Sowa, National Coordinator of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), argued that regulatory institutions such as the Independent Media Commission (IMC) should be entrenched in the Constitution rather than established solely through legislation.
“The IMC must be part of the Constitution to ensure its independence and protect media practitioners,” he said.
Charles Israel Williams, Esq., suggested that SLAJ should consider developing a Media Practitioners’ Act, similar to the Legal Practitioners’ Act governing lawyers. He said such legislation could codify professional ethics and standards for the media profession while strengthening professionalism and accountability.
The stakeholder engagement forms part of SLAJ’s ongoing advocacy under the MEDIA Project, supported by the European Union (EU) through BBC Media Action, to advance the campaign for a stand-alone chapter on Free Speech and Press Freedom in Sierra Leone’s new Constitution.
