The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has urged police to investigate an alleged threat against Thomas Josephus Dixon, Managing Editor of the New Age Newspaper and Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors.
In an October 6 statement, SLAJ said Dixon accused SLPP National Publicity Secretary Moses Sellu Mambu of threatening him after an AYV television programme on September 27.
Dixon alleged that Mambu threatened harm and referred to journalist Ibrahim Samura’s death. SLAJ said presenter Victor Jones supplied an eyewitness account supporting the complaint.
Mambu denied making a threat. According to SLAJ, he told Secretary-General Edward Fara Marrah that he had only advised Dixon to be careful.
SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara said intimidation of journalists undermines press freedom and citizens’ access to information. The association requested a prompt, independent investigation to establish what happened.
It also asked authorities to consider protection for Dixon and his family, and urged SLPP leaders to affirm their support for journalists’ safety. SLAJ said disagreements with media coverage should be handled lawfully. truthmedia.sl
