The 6 September 1996 launch in Freetown of the twice-weekly independent newspaper “Torchlight” was delayed when, in a statement issued that same morning, Minister of Information George Banda Thomas banned the circulation of the newspaper, apparently because, according to CPJ sources, the newspaper had published “very uncomplimentary articles” about President Tejan Kabba. Later that same […]
The 6 September 1996 launch in Freetown of the twice-weekly
independent newspaper “Torchlight” was delayed when, in a
statement issued that same morning, Minister of Information
George Banda Thomas banned the circulation of the newspaper,
apparently because, according to CPJ sources, the newspaper had
published “very uncomplimentary articles” about President Tejan
Kabba. Later that same afternoon, however, Thomas retracted the
ban and granted permission for “Torchlight” to resume publication
pending the outcome of a cabinet review of press law
recommendations that are expected to be forwarded to Parliament
in the coming month. The press law recommendations reportedly
include a requirement that newspapers obtain insurance policies
which would cover libel charges. Journalists fear that if this
requirement became law, insurance companies would demand
representation on newspaper editorial boards.
The “Torchlight” is sponsored by the United National People’s
Party (UNPP), an opposition party headed by John Karefa-Smart and
the owner is believed to be Y.M. Koromah, a UNPP member of
Parliament. The newspaper is edited by Sheka Tarawallie.
Background Information
Since July, three journalists have been harassed by authorities
in Sierra Leone. On 19 July, Edison Yongai, editor of “The
Point”, was arrested and charged with sedition and libel for an
article critical of the new government, while on 28 August, “Expo
Times” publisher Ibrahim Seaga Shaw and news editor Gibril Kroma
were arrested for having published “sensitive” stories relating
to the civil war. All three men have since been released (see
IFEX alerts dated 5 September and 12 August 1996).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
it constitutes an attack on press freedom
harassment and detention of journalists since President Kabba
assumed office
Appeals To
His Excellency Ahmed Tejan Kabbah
President
State House
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Fax: +232 22 24 21 26 / 22 22 83 39
Solomon Berewa
Attorney General
Ministry of Justice
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Telefax: +232 22 74 44
George Banda Thomas
Minister of Information
c/o Ministry of Justice
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Fax: +232 24 21 26
Telefax: +232 24 01 23
Mr. S.M.F. Kutubu
Speaker of the Parliament
Parliament
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
