By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter, D.S
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has addressed recent staff protests at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), which began on May 8, 2025. Following reports of an unannounced protest, SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla and his team visited the national broadcaster to engage with the protesting staff.
While acknowledging their right to protest for better working conditions, President Nasralla urged the staff to conduct their actions lawfully, peacefully, and without violence or disorderly conduct. He encouraged the formation of a formal association or committee to facilitate constructive dialogue with management and relevant stakeholders.
SLAJ also condemned the alleged physical assault on journalist Prince Kamara of Open Space Newspaper, who was reportedly attacked while attempting to interview the Deputy Director General during the protests. The protestors claimed that Kamara had been publishing biased reports regarding developments at SLBC. SLAJ reiterated that there is no justification for violence against any journalist and called for a peaceful resolution to the situation. They advised the assaulted journalist to file a formal report with the police and initiated a dialogue involving Kamara, his employer, and the SLBC Director General, who expressed concern for his well-being.
On May 9, SLAJ engaged with the Ministry of Labour, represented by Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray and Commissioner of Labour Sinneh Bockarie. A dialogue meeting was held with SLBC staff, led by de facto leader Ibrahim Samura, during which the Minister explained the country’s labor laws, especially those governing lawful strike actions.
Key action points agreed upon during the meeting included:
- The Labour Ministry will release a report on workplace safety and security at SLBC.
- The Ministry will review the welfare concerns raised by staff in accordance with the Labour Act and make appropriate recommendations.
- The issue of volunteers and unpaid acting positions will be addressed, with all backlog payments for acting roles to be resolved.
- SLAJ will follow up with the Ministry on the implementation progress.
- A nationwide audit of the welfare of media practitioners will be conducted by the Ministry.
SLAJ welcomed these commitments and assured both the Ministry and SLBC staff that it will monitor progress and continue advocating for the fair treatment of journalists and media workers.
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