Reporters Without Borders Condemns Year-Long Ban of Journalist Mansaray from Sierra Leone Parliament

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised alarm over the continued exclusion of Sierra Leonean journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray from the country’s Parliament, describing the നടപടി as a serious violation of press freedom.

In a statement, RSF said Mansaray has been denied access to the Parliament building since 10 January 2025, following comments he made during a discussion on Radio Democracy in which he criticised Members of Parliament. The organisation noted that the restriction was imposed without any legal process or court order.

According to RSF, Mansaray, a journalist known for his coverage of parliamentary affairs, has been unable to carry out his professional duties for more than a year due to the ban.

The organisation said the decision has significantly affected his career, including the loss of his role as a parliamentary correspondent for a radio station and other professional opportunities.

RSF stated that the ban was ordered by the Speaker of Parliament, who accused the journalist of engaging in insulting conduct and criticising the work of Parliament. However, the organisation said no clear evidence has been presented to support these allegations.

The press freedom group further criticised the handling of the matter, noting that it was not referred to the Independent Media Commission, the statutory body responsible for addressing media-related complaints in Sierra Leone.

RSF described the continued exclusion of Mansaray as a threat to media independence and warned that such actions could create a climate of fear among journalists. It added that preventing reporters from accessing Parliament undermines transparency and limits the public’s right to information about government activities.

Media organisations, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, have also expressed concern over the decision, cautioning that it could weaken press freedom in the country.

RSF has called on the authorities to immediately lift the ban and ensure that journalists are allowed to carry out their work freely, without intimidation or undue restrictions.