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A Police State is characterized by extensive surveillance, coercion, and restrictions on individual freedoms of all sorts, including: assembly, free speech, etc.
The governance structure of such a state inter alia is attributed with: heavy policing and military, widespread surveillance of critics and opposition members, arbitrary arrests and detentions of vocal citizens, and erosion of civil liberties.
Are these attributes uncommon in Sierra Leone’s governance system?
Press freedom, widely believed to be the cornerstone of democracy, is increasingly under threat in Sierra Leone.
Journalists face mounting challenges, including censorship, especially for ‘yellow journalists’, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and even physical violence.
These threats jeopardize not only the lives of reporters but also the public’s right to access unbiased information.
Erosion of Press Freedom In the Country
In recent times, the government introduced restrictive “cyber laws” to muzzle or silence critical views and opinions of liberal minds on governance excesses.
These measures create a chilling effect, where self-censorship becomes a survival mechanism for journalists as well as social media users with critical and objective lenses.
The Digital Battleground
The digital age, while a boon or desirable tool for information dissemination, it has also become a double-edged sword in spreading fake news. Therefore, the public needs a free press that can inform them on issues bordering corruption, human rights abuses and other governance failures accurately, balanced, and credibly.
Consequences for Society
When press freedom is under siege, the repercussions extend far beyond the journalism community.
Suppressing free expression enables corruption, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
What’s the state of corruption, human rights abuses, and democracy in our country today? Anything to commend?
The absence of a free press leaves citizens uninformed and disempowered, hindering their ability to hold those in power accountable.
Action point:
Defending press freedom requires unrelenting and collective action from the media, government of Sierra Leone, civil society, international partners, and citizens generally.
Advocacy, legal protections, and financial support for independent media are crucial in combating challenges around press freedom in the country.
Furthermore, raising awareness about the importance of a free press can galvanize public support for journalists working on the frontlines.
As press freedom continues to face various forms of challenges in the country, it is imperative to reaffirm its role as a pillar of democracy and a safeguard for truth.
Without it, the voice of the people risks being drowned out by the forces of rogue politicians, their cronies, and gullible supporters.
Press Freedom comes with responsibilities on the part of the beneficiary and Law. When you write a story, m ake sure you’ve got it the story balance and needed ethical due delediance well follow. Most of our Sierra Leonean Journalists and Medias are more into political Partisanship.
Freedom of speech and association does not mean freedom to abuse, attack or criticise all things. Before this govt. there was no such freedom. Now people are misusing their freedom under this govt. Be careful what you wish for. All that starts well, may not end well. This may lead to civil unrest one day because supporters of this administration may rise up one day to defend their own.
The author should have sighted tangible cases in point of his claim of” journalism under siege”
As it is there are too many generalizations