By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), alongside key media and civil society stakeholders, on Thursday, 26th February 2026, engaged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., and his Deputy, Saptieu Saccoh, in discussions centred on a proposed stand-alone constitutional chapter on Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

The meeting forms part of ongoing consultations under the national constitutional review process and follows an earlier engagement held in February 2025, during which SLAJ formally presented its proposal for what it envisions as Chapter 12 of the Constitution; a dedicated chapter to constitutionally guarantee freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information.

SLAJ has been advocating for a stand-alone constitutional chapter on media freedom since 2016, when it submitted a proposal to the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Committee. Although the recommendation was not reflected in the subsequent Government White Paper, the Association has sustained advocacy efforts over the years.

Speaking on behalf of media stakeholders, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara expressed appreciation to the Attorney General for engaging journalists and civil society actors on critical national issues. He emphasized that Sierra Leoneans deserve a clear and explicit constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression and press freedom, particularly amid ongoing public debates surrounding the Constitutional Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.

He observed that the absence of detailed constitutional protections has, at times, contributed to an atmosphere where citizens feel apprehensive about expressing independent views on national matters for fear of political labelling or backlash. He further cited comparative examples such as Kenya, whose constitution contains detailed and enforceable provisions safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms.

In his response, Attorney General, Alpha Sesay, described the engagement as constructive and reaffirmed the importance of the media in the constitutional review journey.

“Journalists have accompanied Sierra Leone’s constitutional review process and remain a crucial part of this national exercise,” he noted, adding that his office welcomed SLAJ’s detailed submission on a stand-alone chapter for media freedom.

He provided a historical overview of constitutional reform efforts, referencing the Lomé Peace Agreement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), both of which recommended constitutional reforms. He further highlighted past initiatives including the Peter Tucker Committee established under former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and the Justice Cowan Committee under former President Ernest Bai Koroma. Several of the Cowan Committee’s key recommendations were later accepted in a Government White Paper.

The Attorney General also explained that the aftermath of the 2023 general elections led to the formation of a Tripartite Committee comprising representatives of the APC, SLPP and international partners. The Committee worked for approximately six months and produced 80 agreed recommendations, many of which are reflected in the current Constitutional Amendment Bill before Parliament.

Clarifying concerns surrounding the Amendment Bill, particularly provisions relating to electoral reforms, the Attorney General stated that the Bill largely mirrors the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations, with only limited Government modifications made within its legal mandate.

He acknowledged concerns raised by women’s groups regarding provisions such as the financial threshold for independent candidates, noting that such issues are being carefully considered. He also recognized a longstanding trust deficit between successive Governments and citizens, describing it as a national challenge that reform efforts seek to address.

On the broader reform agenda, he disclosed that the constitutional review process is expected to continue until the end of 2026. Proposed reforms include revising Chapter III of the 1991 Constitution into a more robust and justiciable Bill of Rights, alongside new provisions addressing citizenship, local Government, lands and environmental governance.

Regarding the media stakeholders’ proposal, the Attorney General expressed optimism about its consideration. He stressed that the constitutional review process cannot succeed without active media participation and assured the delegation that, if adopted, the Law Officers’ Department would work closely with SLAJ to carefully draft provisions to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

He further clarified that the current Amendment Bill before Parliament focuses primarily on electoral reforms, given that the next general elections are just over two years away. Additional constitutional amendments are expected to follow after Parliament concludes deliberations on the present Bill.

The SLAJ delegation included members of the Association’s Executive, former SLAJ Presidents Ahmed Sahid Nasralla (ex officio) and Umaru Fofana, Tanu Jalloh, Presidents of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) and the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL). Also present were the Chairman of the Guild of Editors, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), representatives of the Independent Radio Network (IRN), the Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association (SiLBA) and civil society actors including Abdul M. Fatoma of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI).

The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment from media stakeholders to remain constructively involved in the constitutional reform process and to advocate for firm and explicit constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of expression and press freedom in Sierra Leone’s supreme law. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/slaj-media-stakeholders-engage-attorney-general-on-proposed-stand-alone-chapter-on-press-freedom/