Sierra Leone: Journalists' Union wants better protection of journalists during election coverage

13 Octobre 2017

Freetown, Sierra Leone, October 13 ( Infosplusgabon) - President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Kelvin Lewis, has called on journalists not to cover political party events where their safety could not be guaranteed.

“SLAJ therefore warns all journalists that political parties that cannot guarantee the safety and security of media practitioners during their events, do not deserve coverage in our newspapers, radio and television stations,” according to an SLAJ press release on Friday.

Lewis' statement came after a newspaper journalist was reported to have been stabbed in the neck by opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party supporters on Wednesday, during the declaration rally of one of their Presidential aspirants.

The journalist, Musa Sesay, is a reporter for Exclusive Newspaper and has since been recovering well in the hospital.

This weekend, hundreds of journalists in the country are attending the Presidential Nomination Convention of the ruling All Peoples Congress and the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party.

Ahead of both events, the SLAJ President has cautioned journalists about their safety during these events.

“If a journalist is covering any political event and the security situation deteriorates, please abandon the coverage and protect your life and equipment,” Lewis added.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/IKL/GABON 2017

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