SLAJ to seek legal opinion on complaint against opposition figure
Freetown: The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has unanimously adopted a report by the Sowa Commission on complaints by two journalists against Julius Maada Bio, presidential aspirant of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party and people alleged to be his supporters.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting on Thursday 24 February 2011 at the SLAJ Headquarters in Freetown, the Association also resolved to seek legal opinion on the matter.
The Committee presented a well investigated 15-page report to SLAJ after talking to all parties involved in both matters, with findings and recommendations on the matter. The meeting unanimously adopted the report and praised the committee for “a job well done”.
In his letter of complaint to SLAJ, Acting Editor of Awareness Times Newspaper, Abdul Karim Kabbia said he had received a telephone call from Mr. Bio on 17 December 2010 threatening him for writing an article critical of him. He said he had also been receiving anonymous phone calls from unidentified numbers threatening that continuing “publishing articles against Maada Bio and his supporters… puts my life on the line.”
A reporter for the same newspaper, Bampia James Bundu also complained that on 22 December 2010 he was attacked and beaten at the law courts building by one Foday Yansanneh alleged to be a supporter of Mr Bio.
The committee was to investigate the allegations and come up with recommendations that would form the basis for any further necessary action by SLAJ.
The Committee was led by Francis Sowa (Chair), while Ismael Koroma was secretary and Joseph E. Kapuwa was Member.
Ismael Koroma, Ag. National Secretary General, SLAJ
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
