Sylvia Olayinka Blyden Defends Dutch Journalist, Sophie van Leeuwen

Sierra Leone’s former Gender and Social Welfare Minister, Sylvia Blyden, has spoken out to clarify misconceptions surrounding the arrest and work of Dutch journalist, Sophie van Leeuwen. 

On January 30, this year, the Dutch journalist is said to have made an interview request. Blyden said it was this request that prompted her to research about the van Leeuwen. She said her investigations revealed that van Leeven is indeed a journalist, disagreeing with the suspicion that should could have been a spy.

The former minister added that van Leeuwen made a mistake by starting her work without prior registration as a foreign journalist in the country.

Blyden stressed that the characterisation of van Leeuwen as an unknown journalist is misleading. “Her mistake was to NOT register herself before starting to work, but to claim she’s not known as a journalist is incorrect. She is well known and was already handling the Jos Leijdekkers matter PUBLICLY before she arrived in Sierra Leone,” Blyden noted.

To provide further context, Blyden mentioned that she has reviewed communication from van Leeuwen, showcasing her prior work and her efforts in investigating the Leijdekkers case. This implies that van Leeuwen’s activities were not covert, but rather part of her ongoing journalistic efforts.

Despite her busy schedule balancing academic commitments with extracurricular activities, Blyden reaffirms the need for van Leeuwen to obtain the necessary credentials to conduct her investigation legally and professionally. “Let us allow her to register as a foreign reporter and go about her investigative work,” she urged, pointing out that proper registration would contribute to a more transparent relationship between journalists and the Sierra Leonean authorities.

This situation highlights the delicate balance that journalists must navigate when operating in foreign countries, as well as the importance of adhering to local regulations.

In light of the tensions surrounding this incident, Blyden’s remarks resonate as a call for greater clarity and professionalism within the field, emphasising that the responsibility of establishing credibility not only lies with the journalist but also within the systems that govern their work.