Journalist Umu Thoronka has publicly challenged claims made by the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) regarding her employment history, alleging wrongful dismissal and a deliberate attempt to tarnish her reputation.

In a statement released on September 10, 2024, Thoronka refuted the SLBC’s August 20 press release, which asserted she was never a reporter and that her tenure ended in 2018.

Thoronka, who says she joined the SLBC in 2014 as a volunteer before transitioning to a core reporter, presenter, and producer, called the claims “inaccurate and misleading.”

She asserts that her employment continued until her dismissal in August 2024, a termination she alleges was politically motivated and linked to a social media post she made in July 2024. The post, an analytical video of a Presidential Townhall, reportedly criticized the government’s performance, sparking backlash from SLBC.

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“The SLBC’s version of events is an attempt to obscure the truth behind my wrongful dismissal,” said Thoronka. “They claim I left in 2018, yet I was receiving awards for my work at SLBC in 2021 and was under contract as Head of Entertainment and Marketing as recently as December 2021.”

Thoronka also detailed her attempts to secure a permanent contract, efforts that were allegedly stymied by unethical demands, including sexual harassment from individuals in power. According to her, she applied for formal Reporter/Presenter roles in 2020 but was directed to meet at hotels under the pretext of “compliance.” She rejected these advances, resulting in the denial of her applications.

Thoronka says she endured mistreatment, including salary suspensions and program removals, leading her to step away from SLBC at the end of 2023. She returned briefly in 2024, after a change in management, but claims her dismissal was ultimately politically motivated.

SLBC has yet to provide an official termination letter for Thoronka, and she argues the corporation has a history of mishandling contracts and employee relations, particularly with female staff. She called on authorities to investigate SLBC’s labor practices, which she says undermine press freedom and violate employee rights.

“I was never contacted as part of the so-called ‘thorough investigation’ the SLBC claims to have conducted,” Thoronka added. “This is about more than just my case—many former female employees have faced similar mistreatment.”

Thoronka’s statement includes evidence supporting her claims, such as a 2021 contract and a recorded phone conversation related to her dismissal. She has urged relevant authorities to take action, demanding accountability from SLBC for its handling of her case and calling for stricter adherence to labor laws.

The SLBC has not responded to Thoronka’s latest allegations.