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Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) President Tuma Adama Jabbi has publicly criticised broadcast journalist Phebean Swill for what she described as “unprofessional journalism” during a recent television interview, calling for greater accountability within the media profession.
Speaking in an interview with ECKO Media, Jabbi expressed disappointment over her appearance on AYV television on Monday, June 16, where she felt the conversation inappropriately veered into her personal life.
The interview was primarily intended to discuss her tenure, the Association’s membership, and her re-election campaign, but shifted when she was asked whether she had her husband’s backing in the upcoming SLBA election.
“What happened over the past two days is really appalling. That is the least you would expect from a journalist,” Jabbi said.
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Jabbi praised ECKO Media for what she termed “professional journalism” and said she chose the platform after observing discussions about media professionalism on social media.
“It is high time for journalists to focus on capacity building. When a guest is invited to a media house, they should be treated professionally, and the platform should not become a gossip forum,” she stated. “The main issue that you are invited for is what should be discussed, not personal issues.”
Jabbi said she intends to speak with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) about the need to hold journalists accountable for some of their actions. She added that most platforms she visits are informed that they have a duty to be honest and to the people of Sierra Leone, and that they should avoid focusing on personal issues.
She noted that she has never been degraded on any media platform, explaining that this is why she continues to work as a lawyer and advocate standing up for women’s rights.
The scrutiny into Jabbi’s personal life comes amidst a highly competitive and tense re-election campaign for the SLBA presidency.
During the AYV interview, when asked about her husband’s support, Jabbi firmly pushed back: “Why should my personal life come on TV or anywhere absolutely in the public space? It is personal, and I’m pleading to you as a woman to leave my personal life out of this. I’m here to talk about the presidency of the Sierra Leone Bar Association. I’m legally married to Mohamed Gento Kamara.”
Jabbi’s public clarification came in the wake of widespread reports alleging that the couple had been estranged since November 2024.
According to reports, Jabbi had visited the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters after allegedly being denied access to Kamara’s home, with police accompanying her back to the property. Kamara was subsequently invited to the CID, where he provided a statement in the presence of his legal representatives.
Jabbi is seeking a second term as SLBA President under the theme “Raising the Bar. Securing the Gains.” She is running against Martina Baindu Egbenda, the current Registrar General of Sierra Leone.
