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Sierra Leone Reportedly Detains Journalist for Criticism of Ebola Response Sierra Leone Detains Journalist for Criticism of Ebola Response
(2 days later)
In what reporters in Sierra Leone denounced as an abuse of the government’s emergency powers to deal with the spread of Ebola, one of the country’s most prominent broadcast journalists was detained this week after he devoted a segment of his popular radio program to a critical discussion of President Ernest Bai Koroma’s handling of the outbreak.In what reporters in Sierra Leone denounced as an abuse of the government’s emergency powers to deal with the spread of Ebola, one of the country’s most prominent broadcast journalists was detained this week after he devoted a segment of his popular radio program to a critical discussion of President Ernest Bai Koroma’s handling of the outbreak.
The radio host, David Tam-Baryoh, was arrested on Monday following a broadcast of his weekly program “Monologue” on the independent station Citizen FM. Listeners in Freetown told the Committee to Protect Journalists that Saturday’s episode was interrupted after Mr. Tam-Baryoh interviewed an opposition spokesman who criticized the president’s response to the Ebola crisis and his supposed interest in seeking a third term in office.The radio host, David Tam-Baryoh, was arrested on Monday following a broadcast of his weekly program “Monologue” on the independent station Citizen FM. Listeners in Freetown told the Committee to Protect Journalists that Saturday’s episode was interrupted after Mr. Tam-Baryoh interviewed an opposition spokesman who criticized the president’s response to the Ebola crisis and his supposed interest in seeking a third term in office.
According to Umaru Fofana, who reports for the BBC and the Freetown news site Politico, a senior police official said that Mr. Tam-Baryoh was arrested as a result of “an executive order signed by his excellency the president.” The same officer said that the detention would last “until it pleases his excellency” to release the reporter.According to Umaru Fofana, who reports for the BBC and the Freetown news site Politico, a senior police official said that Mr. Tam-Baryoh was arrested as a result of “an executive order signed by his excellency the president.” The same officer said that the detention would last “until it pleases his excellency” to release the reporter.
On Thursday, Mr. Fofana reported that Mr. Tam-Baryoh’s wife had been denied access to him, and that the police raided his office and confiscated equipment.On Thursday, Mr. Fofana reported that Mr. Tam-Baryoh’s wife had been denied access to him, and that the police raided his office and confiscated equipment.
Mohamed Massaquoi, a local newspaper editor who is the president of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union, denounced the arrest as an abuse of the president’s powers. In an interview with Daniel Finnan of Radio France International, he said, “We are under health emergency, we are not under public emergency.”Mohamed Massaquoi, a local newspaper editor who is the president of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union, denounced the arrest as an abuse of the president’s powers. In an interview with Daniel Finnan of Radio France International, he said, “We are under health emergency, we are not under public emergency.”
“If you are going to arrest journalists simply because of saying the facts,” he added, “then it’s a shame to the government, it’s a shame to the people of Sierra Leone.”“If you are going to arrest journalists simply because of saying the facts,” he added, “then it’s a shame to the government, it’s a shame to the people of Sierra Leone.”
Freetown’s Global Times reported that there were concerns over the detained reporter’s health after he “complained of chest pain” in custody at a maximum-security prison.Freetown’s Global Times reported that there were concerns over the detained reporter’s health after he “complained of chest pain” in custody at a maximum-security prison.
The arrest was front-page news in Sierra Leone, although one newspaper, The Awareness Times, featured an editorial by its publisher, Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, who asserted that Mr. Tam-Baryoh had been arrested not for criticism of the Ebola response, but for sectarian “incitement.” Ms. Blyden, a former close adviser to the president who resigned last month, has also criticized the health ministry, saying it underreported cases of Ebola.The arrest was front-page news in Sierra Leone, although one newspaper, The Awareness Times, featured an editorial by its publisher, Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, who asserted that Mr. Tam-Baryoh had been arrested not for criticism of the Ebola response, but for sectarian “incitement.” Ms. Blyden, a former close adviser to the president who resigned last month, has also criticized the health ministry, saying it underreported cases of Ebola.
Before she left the government, she was involved in a bitter dispute with Mr. Tam-Baryoh. Previously, however, she had been full of praise for his work. In 2012, she wrote: “Sierra Leone’s leading good governance and social activism radio program is the weekly ‘Monologue’ program hosted by seasoned journalist David Tam-Baryoh. The program is famous for spurring various governments and officials into doing the right thing for citizens, as it is known to have a huge listenership.”Before she left the government, she was involved in a bitter dispute with Mr. Tam-Baryoh. Previously, however, she had been full of praise for his work. In 2012, she wrote: “Sierra Leone’s leading good governance and social activism radio program is the weekly ‘Monologue’ program hosted by seasoned journalist David Tam-Baryoh. The program is famous for spurring various governments and officials into doing the right thing for citizens, as it is known to have a huge listenership.”
In response to criticism of her editorial, Ms. Blyden wrote Thursday on Facebook that emergency measures were justified, since “we are AT WAR with a virus that has KILLED thousands of our compatriots so far.”In response to criticism of her editorial, Ms. Blyden wrote Thursday on Facebook that emergency measures were justified, since “we are AT WAR with a virus that has KILLED thousands of our compatriots so far.”
Peter Nkanga of the Committee to Protect Journalists said: “Sierra Leone’s genuine state of emergency means that critical thinking and public debate are more important than ever. Locking away journalists without charge helps nobody. We call on President Ernest Bai Koroma to ensure that David Tam-Baryoh is released immediately and that journalists are allowed to do their jobs freely.”Peter Nkanga of the Committee to Protect Journalists said: “Sierra Leone’s genuine state of emergency means that critical thinking and public debate are more important than ever. Locking away journalists without charge helps nobody. We call on President Ernest Bai Koroma to ensure that David Tam-Baryoh is released immediately and that journalists are allowed to do their jobs freely.”