Press Release

Freetown: 17^th June, 2020

SLAJ Criminal Libel Repeal Advocacy Group

Owing to recent hiccups in the process to repeal the Criminal Libel Laws the Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is announcing the formation of a broad based committee herein referred to as The SLAJ Criminal Libel Repeal Advocacy Group to help finish the last lap in the process of repealing the Criminal and Seditious Libel laws contained in the Public Order Act of 1965.

Working alongside the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Group (see list attached) will coordinate the lobbying of Members of the Sierra Leone Parliament to see reason and repeal the law without delay.

Sincerely,

Mohamed Asmieu Bah

National Secretary General

SLAJ Criminal Libel Repeal Advocacy Group:

SLAJ:

1. Sorie Fofanah (Managing Editor, Global Times) – Chairperson 
2. Sheikh Bawoh
3. Amb. Jonathan Leigh
4. Mariama Coker
5. Ibrahim Babatunde Sesay
6. Abdulai Bayraytay
7. Femi Coker
8. Shekha Tarawallie (Shekhito) 
9. Unisa Sesay 10. Alhaji Dauda Bangura
10. Musa Mewa Esq.
11. Mohamed ‘One Drop’ Sankoh
12. Asmaa James
13. Kadijah Bangura
14. Edna Sia Janga
15. Elias Bangura

IMC:

1. George Khoryama

MRCG:

1. Dr.  Francis Sowa

Past Presidents (SLAJ):

1. Kelvin Lewis- SLAJ
2. Umaru Fofana- SLAJ

CSOs:

• Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI)- Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai
• Campaign for Good Governance (CGG)- Marcella Samba Sesay
• Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law- Sierra Leone (CARL-SL)- Ibrahim Tommy

International Partners:

• West Africa Journalists Association (WAJA)- Peter Quaqa 
• Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)- Angela Quintal
• International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)- Pa Louis Thomasi

Secretary to Group:

• Mohamed Asmieu Bah- SLAJ