The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Sierra Leone government to take “the next step” in enhancing media freedom by addressing outstanding concerns with existing legislation and supporting constitutional protections for free expression.

The global journalists’ body joined its local affiliate, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), in welcoming President Julius Maada Bio’s September 2025 signing of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2025, which included significant amendments addressing media freedom concerns raised by media stakeholders.

The amendments came after sustained advocacy by SLAJ and international press freedom groups, who had warned that earlier versions of the legislation posed serious threats to journalism.

However, the IFJ pledged continued support for SLAJ’s advocacy regarding Section 44(2) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021, which the Federation said “threatens freedom of expression and media rights”.

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Section 44(2)(b) of the Act criminalises sending messages that the sender “knows to be false” or sends “recklessly,” with penalties including fines between Le 30 million and Le 50 million, or imprisonment of two to five years . Press freedom advocates argue the provision is ill-defined and could be used to restrict legitimate journalism.

SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara confirmed in his New Year 2026 message that the Association’s advocacy would continue regarding Section 44(2), which SLAJ believes “still poses risks to press freedom and freedom of expression”.

The IFJ also joined calls for the inclusion of a standalone chapter in the 1991 national constitution safeguarding freedom of expression and media freedom .

The proposed Chapter 12, advanced by SLAJ and its partners, would recognise the media as a public good, protect editorial independence, guarantee access to information, and set constitutional limits on state interference.

SLAJ formally petitioned Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay in February 2026, urging the inclusion of a standalone chapter on “Freedom of Speech” in the Constitution.

The call follows the tabling of the Sierra Leone Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament in January 2026, which seeks to amend the 1991 Constitution based on recommendations from the Tripartite Committee, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, and the Justice Edmund Cowan Constitutional Review Committee.

SLAJ emphasised that its campaign extends beyond journalists to all citizens — including market women, civil society actors, students, bloggers, politicians, and musicians — describing freedom of speech as a universal right that empowers citizens to criticise public policy without fear and participate meaningfully in governance.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Important steps have been taken in recent months to advance media rights in Sierra Leone and we welcome the progress made by SLAJ and its allies in securing important amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Act which protect media freedom. But now the government must take the next steps and urgently review the Cyber Security and Crime Act to ensure it does not undermine independent journalism and media freedom.”

“For the longer term, we urge the constitutional review process to adopt SLAJ’s call for a stand-alone Chapter 12 which would help ensure that citizens’ rights to information are protected by constitutional guarantees of media freedom and freedom of expression,” Bellanger added.

SLAJ has acknowledged recent progress, including the historic repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel laws in 2020, and a Memorandum of Understanding signed with security sector institutions in 2022 to improve relations between journalists and law enforcement, which is currently under review.

Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu has issued instructions that cases involving journalists should be referred to the Independent Media Commission or pursued as civil defamation matters rather than criminal offenses.

However, press freedom advocates point to recent incidents, including the December 2024 arrest of social media influencer Hawa Hunt, who was held for over two months on charges of ‘transmitting insulting messages’ under the Cyber Security and Crime Act before being acquitted by the Court of Appeal in March 2025.

In February 2025, Dutch journalist Sophie Van Leeuwen and local journalist Joseph Turay were detained and interrogated, with police accusing Van Leeuwen of being a ‘danger to national security’.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries.