Human Rights Activists, Media Practitioners Condemn Admire Bio’s Threats Against Journalist Lamrana Bah
By VOS Staff Writer
Human Rights Activists and Media Practitioners across Sierra Leone have strongly condemned the disparaging and threatening remarks made by Admire Bio against journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah, following his recent talk show on the fight against the spread of Kush in the country.
The talk show, hosted on The Truth Media Platform, featured experts, medical practitioners, and parents whose children have been affected by the drug epidemic. Over the course of a week, Bah’s program explored the government’s response to the Kush crisis, questioning the seriousness and effectiveness of current interventions.
During one of the discussions, reference was made to a Sierra Leone Police press release announcing a planned search at the residence of Admire Bio, who has been previously accused of involvement in the Kush trade. In apparent reaction, Admire took to her Facebook page, launching a personal attack on Lamrana Bah.
In a video that has since gone viral, Admire Bio’s husband, Dauzy Jalloh, was also heard in the background threatening to physically assault the journalist, while Admire made further disparaging remarks against him.
Human Rights Activist Khadijah Tejan Nabie condemned Admire Bio’s outburst, calling on His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Members of Parliament, and law enforcement agencies to investigate and address the threats made against the life and safety of journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah.
“The use of threatening and abusive language against a journalist performing his lawful duties is unacceptable and must be met with the full force of the law,” she stated.
A journalist and legal practitioner, who also spoke on the matter, aligned with Nabie’s position, describing Admire’s conduct as “reckless, undemocratic, and a direct threat to press freedom.”
Observers note that the recent spate of online harassment and intimidation targeting Lamrana Bah represents a disturbing trend against media independence in Sierra Leone.
“It is deeply troubling to see videos circulating online where individuals like Admire Bio use hurtful and threatening language against Mr. Bah,” a media analyst said. “Such actions not only endanger his safety but also erode the democratic values that our society strives to uphold.”
Media watchdogs are now calling for decisive institutional response. Both the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) have been urged to publicly denounce the attacks and engage the relevant authorities to ensure the protection of journalists from intimidation and abuse.
“Journalism is not a crime,” one statement read. “It is a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and democracy. Protecting journalists and safeguarding their right to report without fear or favor is essential to the preservation of our democratic values.”
