(MFWA/IFEX) – On 13 November 2004, Mohamed Amara Josiah, a correspondent for “Standard Times” newspaper in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, was assaulted by a group of men until he fell into a coma. Amara is currently responding to treatment at a local hospital in the region. According to MFWA sources in Sierra Leone, the attack […]
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 13 November 2004, Mohamed Amara Josiah, a correspondent for “Standard Times” newspaper in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, was assaulted by a group of men until he fell into a coma. Amara is currently responding to treatment at a local hospital in the region.
According to MFWA sources in Sierra Leone, the attack on Amara followed an article published in the paper, entitled, “Tribalism and Nepotism Rocks Kenema Government Hospital”. The article was said to have contained disparaging statements about Samuel Stevens, who heads the government hospital.
The assault occurred at the Kay Spot, a local entertainment centre in Kenema. Three men believed to be government hospital workers and a fourth individual who claimed to be the owner of the centre abruptly attacked Amara and assaulted him until he fell into a coma.
“We are beating you because you were among the team of journalists that went to cross check the story. We told you not to publish that story, since we are fighting for our survival,” the assailants are alleged to have said.
On 18 November, local journalists reported the matter to the Kenema Town police station. The journalists said they were concerned for their safety.
The MFWA condemns the violent attack on Amara and calls on police authorities to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice. The organisation is of the view that this action amounts to the attackers taking the law into their own hands and is part of a calculated plan to silence the media in this region of the country.
