After two unsuccessful bids to secure a parliamentary symbol from the All People’s Congress (APC) Party, Edward Fara Marah, a known journalist-politician is now seeking election as Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
His entry into the race comes with serious questions about SLAJ’s future neutrality, credibility and independence.
Marah’s political footprint is neither speculative nor subtle. In 2012, and again in 2018, he openly pursued the APC symbol to represent Constituency 046, which before the creation of Falaba District in 2017, was part of Koinadugu District, encompassing Kalian and Nieni chiefdoms.
During his campaign, Marah and his supporters aggressively mobilized, framing his candidacy as the “change” the people were “yearning for.”
A 2017 Facebook post from a relative, Kelly Marah, passionately read:
“Don’t call it a dream, call it a plan. It takes courage to stand up and speak up for your people even though you are dragged back. Constituency 46, here comes the change we’re yearning for. 2018 Parliamentary – vote Edward Marah – the only choice we have to make the change come.”
These are not the words of a neutral journalist; they are the slogans of a man actively engaged in partisan politics.
What’s even more troubling is the sudden reappearance of Marah within SLAJ’s fold. After years of disengagement and failing to pay membership dues for over eight years, Marah recently cleared his arrears, not out of loyalty to the association, but seemingly as a calculated move to qualify for elective office.
This raises fundamental questions:
• Where was Edward Marah when SLAJ fought to repeal criminal libel laws?
• Where was he when journalists were under attack and needed collective advocacy?
• Why return only when there’s a chance to lead, not to serve?
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SLAJ has long stood as a pillar of integrity, a voice for press freedom, and a nonpartisan institution defending the rights of journalists regardless of political affiliation.
Its executives are expected to maintain a high level of neutrality, especially in politically charged times as we shall witness leading to the 2028 national elections.
Electing a known APC politician into a key executive role would compromise not only SLAJ’s image but its ability to speak independently on national issues.
This is not a personal attack; it is a principled call to action. SLAJ must remain a sanctuary for ethical journalism, not a platform for recycled political ambitions.
As SLAJ members head to the polls this June, the choice is clear: if we care about the independence and reputation of our association, we must reject Edward Marah’s candidacy. SLAJ must not become a pawn in political chess games. Its leadership must be occupied by individuals who have consistently demonstrated loyalty to the profession, neutrality in their advocacy, and consistency in their support for press freedom.
