GoNE Raises Alarm Over Police Invasion to Voice of Salone, Defends Press Freedom and Editorial Independence
The Guild of Newspaper Editors (GoNE) has strongly condemned the recent actions of officers of the Sierra Leone Police who reportedly visited the offices of Voice of Salone Newspaper and requested that its Editor, David Johnson, accompany them to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a publication titled “Mystery Surrounds Alleged Cocaine Seizure at Portee Wharf.”
In a statement issued by its Secretariat, the Guild described the incident as a matter of serious concern, not only for Voice of Salone Newspaper but also for the wider media community and Sierra Leone’s democratic space.
According to the Guild, while it recognizes the constitutional and statutory mandate of the Sierra Leone Police to investigate allegations of criminal conduct, such powers must be exercised within the confines of the law and with due respect for the constitutional rights of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
The Guild emphasized that reporting on matters of public interest, including allegations of wrongdoing, forms a fundamental part of the media’s watchdog role in a democratic society. It noted that journalists have a responsibility to inform the public on issues that raise legitimate concern, particularly when such reporting promotes transparency, accountability, and public awareness.
GoNE questioned the legal and factual basis upon which police officers deemed it necessary to visit the offices of a newspaper and require the attendance of its Editor for the apparent purpose of obtaining evidence relating to a published story.
“It is a well-established principle that journalists are not investigators for the State, nor are media institutions repositories of evidence for law enforcement agencies,” the Guild stated. “The constitutional responsibility of the press is to gather, process, and disseminate information in the public interest, while the responsibility for investigating alleged criminal activity rests with the appropriate state institutions.”
The Guild further expressed concern that such actions, if allowed to continue unchecked, could create a chilling effect on investigative journalism and discourage journalists from reporting on matters of significant public importance for fear of intimidation, reprisals, or official harassment.
As a result, the Guild called on the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police to provide a clear explanation regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and to reassure the public that the constitutional rights of journalists and media institutions will be respected at all times.
The statement also reminded public authorities that Sierra Leone’s democratic credentials are strengthened, rather than weakened, by the existence of a free, independent, and robust press capable of holding both public institutions and individuals accountable.
The Guild reaffirmed its solidarity with David Johnson, the management, and staff of Voice of Salone Newspaper, while reiterating its commitment to defending press freedom, editorial independence, and the rule of law.
“The freedom of the press is not a privilege granted by the State; it is a constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen and an indispensable pillar of democratic governance,” the statement concluded.
