(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is an update on the horrific experiences of our colleagues in Sierra Leone during the battle for control of Freetown between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels, Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) fighters, and ECOMOG (the West African Peacekeeping Forces). It is clear from the information that CPJ is receiving from […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is an update on the horrific experiences of our
colleagues in Sierra Leone during the battle for control of Freetown between
the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels, Armed Forces Ruling Council
(AFRC) fighters, and ECOMOG (the West African Peacekeeping Forces). It is
clear from the information that CPJ is receiving from our sources in
Freetown, that journalists were targeted for retribution by the RUF and
AFRC. And we have received reports that the RUF entered Freetown with a list
of journalists who were to be eliminated for what was perceived as
“anti-RUF” coverage of the war.
This is the second time in as many years that Sierra Leone’s journalists
have shown unparalleled courage and commitment in what has rapidly become
one of the most dangerous environments in the world for journalists to
practice their profession. The damage that has been done, comes at a time
when few media professionals have recovered professionally or personally
from the previous crisis of 1997/1998. CPJ encourages all of our colleagues
to immediately set into motion the organization of any and all types of
support that we have at our disposal. In the coming weeks as circumstances
permit, Sierra Leone’s besieged journalists will need any assistance that we
can provide them to rebuild their lives and the profession.
On 9 January 1999, Jenner “J.C.” Cole was abducted by Revolutionary United
Front (RUF) rebels from his residence in near Sandars Street in central
Freetown. Cole was being taken to an RUF base in the east end of Freetown,
when an ECOMOG (West Afrian Peacekeeping Forces) Alpha Jet flew above the
area, during which time all the other abductees escaped except Cole who was
prevented from escaping by RUF rebels. Shortly thereafter, in the street
near the Siaka Stevens Street and Cotton Road intersection, Cole was shot in
the head by his abductors, in front of his fiance Aisha. He died
immediately.
On 9 January, Mohammed Kamara, a correspondent for the independent radio
station SKY-FM (106) who covered court proceedings including the recent
treason trials, was also shot dead by RUF rebels on Siaka Stevens Street in
central Freetown at approximately the same time that Jenner Cole was
murdered.
On 9 January, “Lucky J”, an on-air broadcaster with the government-owned
Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) was abducted by RUF rebels from his
residence near Sandars Street in central Freetown. He managed to escape
during an ECOMOG Alpha Jet aerial attack. Later, when he and Michael Hinga
tried to move Jenner Cole’s body out of the area to bury him, the two
journalists were attacked again. Hinga and Lucky J were forced to leave
Cole’s body in the street as they fled for their lives. Lucky J is alive and
safe in an ECOMOG-controlled section of Freetown.
On 9 January, Michael Charlie Hinga, an on-air broadcaster with SLBS, was
abducted by RUF rebels from his residence near Fort Street in the area near
the House of Parliament. Currently, there are conflicting reports on
whether Hinga was subsequently killed by RUF rebels or whether he managed to
escape from his abductors.
Voice of America stringer Kelvin Lewis’ house was burned to the ground by
RUF rebels. Lewis managed to escape, running for his life while carrying
his 70-year-old mother in his arms.
The independent “Concord Times” and “Standard Times” editorial offices on
Barthurst Street were reportedly destroyed and burned down by RUF rebels.
The area the offices are located in was under heavy bombardment during the
fighting.
The SKY-FM (106) offices, in a three-story building on Pademba Road, was
completely destroyed and burned to the ground by RUF rebels. However, the
SKY-FM broadcast studios on Lester Road remained intact. To date, there is
no news about SKY-FM’s sister station KISS-FM (104) located in Bo. As of 19
January reports, SKY-FM and KISS-FM owner Andrew Koroma is alive and safe.
The SLBS transmitter site at Lester Peak is intact, but the building
suffered serious damages because RUF rebels and AFRC forces were based there
the first three days of the fighting. The SLBS studios were seriously
damaged.
Currently, the only station that is broadcasting is the
government-controlled FM 98.1 transmitting from New England near the ECOMOG
stronghold, Wilberforce Barracks. FM 98.1 is airing religious music, an
occasional presidential or government statement, and the British
Broadcasting Corporation’s daily programs, Focus on Africa and Network
Africa. No original local news is being broadcast at this time.
