The African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) has called on the Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, and parliamentary leadership to urgently engage stakeholders in investigating and resolving the circumstances surrounding the ban of journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray from covering parliamentary proceedings.
In a press release issued on February 10, 2025-marking exactly one month since the ban-APPN expressed concern over the decision, which indefinitely barred Mansaray from accessing the parliamentary chamber and precincts on allegations of reckless and insulting criticism.
As a network representing parliamentary reporters and communication officers across Africa, APPN has been closely monitoring the situation, noting significant reactions from key stakeholders, including the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery (PPG) and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). However, APPN’s findings indicate that Parliament has yet to file a formal complaint with the Independent Media Commission (IMC), and efforts by SLAJ and the PPG to mediate have so far been unsuccessful.
While APPN strongly advocates for ethical and professional journalism, it also emphasizes the fundamental role of press freedom in democracy. The press release warns that suppressing dissenting voices could stifle public discourse, undermine democratic principles, and weaken institutional accountability.
“Democratic accountability requires that public officials and institutions remain open to scrutiny and criticism,” the statement noted. “A balanced approach is essential to defending institutional integrity while respecting democratic values.”
APPN has raised concerns that such a decision sets a troubling precedent, potentially discouraging journalists from engaging in critical reporting on parliamentary affairs. The move, the statement warned, could erode transparency and the public’s right to information-both of which are essential to good governance.
Echoing calls from SLAJ and the PPG, APPN has urged Parliament to pursue alternative mechanisms for addressing grievances. The organization maintains that allegations of journalistic misconduct should be handled by independent regulatory bodies, such as the IMC and SLAJ, which are better positioned to ensure a fair and impartial process.
APPN is therefore calling on Parliament to:
1. Lodge a formal complaint with the IMC as a means of addressing any grievances.
2. Engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to find a resolution that upholds both institutional integrity and press freedom.
3. Collaborate in developing a code of conduct policy that will define clear guidelines for interactions between Parliament and the media, ensuring fair and transparent processes in handling future disputes.
In its closing remarks, APPN reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a constructive relationship between Parliament and the media, promoting mutual respect, and advancing good governance and sustainable development for the people of Sierra Leone.
