As part of the ongoing leadership transition process, the Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), led by immediate past President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, has paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, at Police Headquarters in Kingtom, Freetown
The visit served two purposes: to formally introduce the new SLAJ leadership and to present an award of appreciation to the IGP for the strong partnership forged between the media and the Sierra Leone Police over the past six years under Nasralla’s leadership.
In his remarks, Nasralla highlighted the significant strides made under IGP Sellu’s leadership, and that of his predecessor, since the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2021 to improve media police relations.
“Before the MoU, our relationship with the Police was strained. Journalists often saw the police as the main perpetrators of assault, intimidation, and harassment against the press,” Nasralla recalled.
“That agreement changed the narrative. It encouraged mutual respect for each other’s roles in our democracy and fostered collaboration through joint trainings aimed at understanding both professions better.”
Nasralla noted that SLAJ’s relationship with the police has gone beyond press freedom and safety. “Journalists are also citizens, and sometimes they come into conflict with the law outside of their work. Because of our relationship, we have been able to intervene and resolve such issues amicably,” he said.
He encouraged the IGP to expand the MoU’s scope to include joint efforts in maintaining law and order and combating crime at the community level.
Speaking for the new leadership, SLAJ President Alhaji ManikaKamara thanked IGP Sellu for the warm reception and assured him of his administration’s commitment to deepening the partnership.
“The Sierra Leone Police are our development partners, and we should continue working together,” Kamara said, adding that his executive would work to renew the MoU and explore more ways to clarify the roles, ethics, and responsibilities of both journalists and police officers. He also appealed for the media to be included in police training programmes to enhance mutual understanding.
In response, IGP Sellu praised Nasralla for his leadership and expressed his readiness to work with the new executive.
“The media and the police are strong partners, police make the news, and the media reports it,” he said.
He acknowledged that challenges sometimes arise, especially during police operations, but stressed that better understanding could help both sides achieve their respective mandates.
Sellu welcomed the idea of renewing the MoU and promised to involve SLAJ in the development of the police training curriculum, including inviting media professionals to lecture at the police academy.
The meeting ended with Nasralla presenting the award of appreciation to IGP Sellu on behalf of SLAJ.
It will be recalled that the 2021 MoU between SLAJ and the Sierra Leone Police marked a turning point in relations between the two institutions, setting the stage for greater collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to democracy, law, and order.
