New SLAJ Executive Meets Information Minister

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has warmly welcomed the newly elected executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) during a courtesy visit focused on deepening collaboration between the government and the country’s foremost media body.

The delegation, led by outgoing SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla and incoming President Alhaji Manika Kamara, used the occasion to formally introduce the new leadership and present a position paper advocating for constitutional reforms. Central to the proposal is the call for the inclusion of a dedicated Chapter 12 on press freedom in the national constitution—aimed at strengthening legal protections for journalists and independent media institutions in Sierra Leone.

In a symbolic gesture of mutual respect, SLAJ presented awards and commendations to Minister Bah and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for their continued support in promoting a free, open, and democratic media environment. The association praised the Minister’s role in expanding civic space, encouraging open dialogue between the state and the press, and promoting access to information as a cornerstone of democratic governance.

Minister Bah congratulated the new SLAJ executive and commended the outgoing leadership for their professionalism, dedication, and partnership over the years. He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to press freedom, civic engagement, and journalistic integrity.

“We believe that a free press is essential to our democracy,” said Minister Bah. “We will continue to engage SLAJ as a partner—not just in defending freedom of expression, but in strengthening the quality of public discourse and empowering citizens to make informed decisions.”

The meeting is a continuation of the evolving and productive relationship between the Ministry and Sierra Leone’s media community. With constitutional reform processes currently underway, both parties expressed optimism about enshrining media freedom as a permanent feature of Sierra Leone’s democratic future.

The visit concluded with a strong mutual commitment to maintain regular dialogue, support capacity-building initiatives for journalists, and collaborate in combating misinformation while promoting responsible journalism across the country.