Campaigners said the criminal libel law was used to stifle the press
Audio By Carbonatix
The International Federation of Journalists has called the repealing of Sierra Leone's criminal libel law "a great victory for freedom of information".
The law, which meant people could be jailed for libellous statements, was repealed on 23 July.
Before that, people could be jailed for up to three years, whether or not what they wrote was true.
That's because the law did not allow truth as a defence, unless you can prove that publishing the truth is in the public interest.
Campaigners have been arguing for more than a decade for the law to be repealed.
Among their complaints was that it was actually used to gag journalists and repress independent and opposition voices.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Black Star International Film Festival appoints Aba Arthur as Diaspora Ambassador
6 minutes -
Opponents dazed by our support in Northern region – Bawumia Campaign denies coersion claim
19 minutes -
US to suspend visa processing for 75 nations, State Department says
26 minutes -
Prisons Service to produce sanitary pads, uniforms and furniture for schools
30 minutes -
AFROSON1C X storms Accra with sold-out show
34 minutes -
Ghana, Canada strengthen immigration cooperation as 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches
41 minutes -
US pulling some personnel from Qatar air base, official tells CBS
51 minutes -
Star Oil pays GH¢ 2.6 billion in taxes and levies for 2025
1 hour -
The Uncertainty of Precision: How VAR Mirrors the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle in Football
1 hour -
Paradigm Initiative condemns internet shutdown ahead of Uganda elections
1 hour -
Jospong’s sustainability drive deserves more spotlight nationally and internationally – Dr Gloria Kusi
2 hours -
Black Sherif gives 2025 a perfect score: “100 out of 100”
2 hours -
GIADEC, Metalloid and GIBDLC secure $60m facility to advance Nyinahin bauxite project
2 hours -
CAF Trophy Hunt: Win Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, Xbox Series X, Apple iPad Air and other prizes in 1xBet promo!
2 hours -
Legacy leadership goes beyond profit – Rev Dr Sam Adeyemi
2 hours
