The Independent Media Commission (IMC) has found Night Watch Newspaper in breach of professional media standards over its August 17, 2026, publication alleging that the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) was a “drug trans-shipment hub.”
The ruling dated October 12, 2026, followed a complaint lodged by Mac’Ivan Kakpindi Vandy, Head of Media and Public Relations at SLPHA, against the publication titled: “SLPHA, A Drug Trans-shipment Hub? – Allegations Abound.”
In its determination, the IMC found that Night Watch Newspaper violated Regulation 5(1) (a) of the Independent Media Commission (Print and Electronic Media) Regulations, 2022, which requires media institutions to take reasonable steps to provide accurate, balanced and credible information to the public.
According to the ruling, the Complaints Committee found that the newspaper “did not take adequate steps to verify the serious allegations contained in the publication before disseminating them to the public.” The committee further established that SLPHA was not adequately given an opportunity to respond before the allegations were published. It noted unequivocally that albeit the newspaper’s Managing Editor, Emmanuel Thorli, claimed attempts had been made to contact the Authority, “the evidence does not establish that SLPHA was given meaningful opportunity” to present its position.
The ruling also noted that the newspaper initially stood by its publication during the first hearing on September 1, 2026, but subsequently acknowledged at a second hearing on September 8 that the article was inaccurate and unbalanced.
The newspaper thereafter issued a written apology and published two retractions, which SLPHA confirmed receiving. While recognizing these corrective actions as mitigating factors, the IMC emphasized that they did not erase the original breach or the potential reputational harm caused by the publication. “the subsequent correction does not erase the original regulatory breach or the potential harm arising from the initial publication,” the ruling stated.
Following its meeting on October 6, 2026, the IMC ratified the Complaints Committee’s recommendations, formally warning the newspaper’s Managing Editor and editorial management, directing the removal of the offending publication from its website and controlled online platforms where it remained accessible, and requiring compliance with applicable standards of accuracy, balance, credibility and responsible reporting in future publications.
The ruling enforces the importance of verification, fairness and responsible journalism, particularly when reporting serious allegations capable of affecting the reputation of public institutions.
Commenting on the ruling, SLPHA’s Director General, Yankuba Askia Bio, stated that the Authority remains committed to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with the media in the public interest. He stated that the Authority has tolerance and an open door policy for the media across the country, urging that media persons reach out for clarification or information at any point. “We abhor fake news, misinformation and disinformation. Always reach out to our Media and Public Relations Unit for clarification on allegations or whatever information instead of publishing or broadcasting untrue stories about the port,” Bio noted.
