(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a joint MISA-MFWA alert: On 9 October 2003, Paul Kamara, the editor and proprietor of “For-Di-People” newspaper, was ordered to pay damages and cover costs of a libel suit that was brought against him. High Court Justice Ademusu awarded damages of Le 60 million (approx. US$24,500) to be paid within […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a joint MISA-MFWA alert:
On 9 October 2003, Paul Kamara, the editor and proprietor of “For-Di-People” newspaper, was ordered to pay damages and cover costs of a libel suit that was brought against him.
High Court Justice Ademusu awarded damages of Le 60 million (approx. US$24,500) to be paid within 24 hours to Sierra Leone Football Association President and Appeal Court Justice Emeric Tolla Thompson. Kamara was also ordered to pay an additional Le 1 million (approx. US$400) for costs.
On 25 April 2002, a two-count criminal libel suit was launched against Kamara for “malicious” publications “intended to smear the good name and the reputation” of Thompson. Bail was set at Le10 million (approx. US$4,100). Kamara had accused Thompson of accepting a position for which he was receiving financial compensation which, according to Kamara, was contrary to the constitution.
MISA and the MFWA are concerned over the high-handed and evidently punitive intent of the claims and ruling against the editor of “For-Di-People”. While acknowledging the right of the court to make judgements, MISA and MFWA appeal to litigants and the judiciary to resolve complaints about defamation by exercising the options of rejoinder, retraction and apology.
According to MISA and MFWA, any action that could limit the space for informed public debate, encourage prior censorship or undermine freedom of expression generally, is a potential threat to democracy and public accountability.
**MISA and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), as a joint activity, will henceforth issue alerts, statements and appeals to highlight media freedom and wider human rights violations in West Africa. See www.misa.org and www.mediafoundationwa.org for more information**
