Radio Democracy started receiving anonymous threats when it announced that it would resume broadcasting.
(MFWA/IFEX) – The management and staff of Freetown-based Radio Democracy are living in a state of fear after receiving frequent threats from unknown persons.
Radio Democracy has been off the air for the past three months after being evicted from its premises by a court order, following its inability to pay rent, which was outrageously increased by the landlady from US$2,500 to US$2,500-$10,000 per annum.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that the threats to Radio Democracy started when the station announced that it would resume broadcasting from its temporary office in the premises of another radio station, Sky Radio.
The correspondent said Hannah Johnson, the proprietor of Sky Radio, was also threatened.
According to Umaru Fofanah, president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the threats were “a complete attack on press freedom.” He added that “SLAJ would do all it can to resist this and other attempts aimed at preventing journalists from performing their role.”
