When thugs attack a radio station the consequences can be far-reaching and have several ripple effects on various levels. It was against this backdrop that the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) stated in a press release on Monday that it vehemently condemns attack on the office and staff of Hope Radio FM 93.3 in Makeni in the afternoon hours of Monday October 23rd 2023 by a group of thugs allegedly sent by Mr. Alie Benson Conteh, who is the landlord of the premises housing the radio at No: 4 Field Road, Makeni City, Northern Sierra Leone.
The thugs allegedly forcefully entered the radio building, vandalized equipment and physically manhandled several staff. The Proprietor of the radio, Mr. Stanley Bangura Jr, who arrived at the scene after alerting the Police, was also assaulted by a man identified as ‘Babah Bio’.
The radio station has legal tenancy agreement which is to expire on December 31st 2023. The Police in Makeni are now investigating the matter and have made some arrests, while workers of the radio are responding to treatment at the Makeni Regional Hospital.
The SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, and a cross-section of his executive visited the Mena Police Station in Makeni on their way from Bumbuna to inquire about the matter. The North-East Regional Commander, AIG Aiah Edward Samadia told the SLAJ delegation that the owners of the premises and their lawyer came to the police station on Sunday, October 22nd 2023 requesting the police to forcefully evict the radio but he advised them to follow due process.
“An attack on a radio station and its journalists is an attack on democracy. It is amazing how Sierra Leoneans have developed the culture of taking the law into their hands. This lawlessness must stop, and we urge the Police to ensure the alleged culprits are brought to book,” said Nasralla.
A Senior Journalist remarked that radio stations play a crucial role in ensuring the free flow of information and providing a platform for diverse voices to be heard. “When a radio station is attacked, it can create a chilling effect and discourage journalists, reporters, and broadcasters from performing their duties or speaking truth to power. This attack on freedom of expression can have a detrimental impact on the overall quality of democracy and transparency within the community,” he said and added that journalists and broadcasters operating within the attacked Hope FM radio station are facing physical harm or intimidation, leading to self-censorship and a decline in journalistic integrity.