By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
The umbrella body for female journalists in Sierra Leone, Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), has in a statement issued out on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, raised serious concern over the safety of their colleague female journalist, Umu Thoronka working for the country’s state broadcaster- Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in the northern city of Makeni.
‘’Women in the media Sierra Leone strongly condemns the summary dismissal of Journalist Umu Thoronka working for the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Makeni, and the subsequent threats to her life. Ms. Thoronka, a dedicated journalist with nearly a decade of committed service was abruptly dismissed from her position on 26th July, 2024, following her post on a video from the President’s town hall meeting in Freetown,’’ WIMSAL has said.
The journalist’s post on her Tiktok account highlighted an incident in which a young woman was seen surrounded by people as she attempted to put across a question to the president.
However, WIMSAL believed that their colleague’s dismissal occurred without any prior warning, discussion or written application which they say is contrary to the provisions of the Employment Act of 2023 which mandated for a fair and transparent termination process.
‘’This action is not only a violation of her rights as an employee but also an affront to freedom of speech and journalistic integrity,’’ the group lamented.
The female journalist umbrella body added that their colleague has reported receiving numerous threats on social media and via phone calls, a situation they said has caused her to fear for her safety thus resulting her to go into hiding, not able to live freely and safely in her own country.
‘’Women in the Media Sierra Leone views the harassment and threats against Ms. Thoronka as totally unacceptable. As a body of professional female journalists , WIMSAL calls on the government of Sierra Leone , through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to look at issues surrounding her dismissal and make appropriate remedial decisions, whilst also seriously addressing the threats to her life.”
It went on to state that the concern they are raising , is not a fight for one woman but also a fight for all women in the media, who they claimed continue to face discrimination, harassment and threats in the course of their professional duties.
‘’WIMSAL calls on the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), as the umbrella body for all mainstream media groups in the country, to take the appropriate steps in addressing Ms. Thoronka’s situation. The safety and security of journalists are paramount to the functioning of a free, fair society. No journalist should be targeted for doing their job. WIMSAL will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary support to Ms. Thoronka as she navigates this difficult time,’’the female journalist body urged.
Meanwhile in a statement, the state broadcaster – SLBC clarified the status of the sacked female journalist, stating that the messages which have circulated asserting that the journalist’s appointment was wrongfully terminated because of a video she shared with an independent brand are against the cooperation’s professional standards and fundamental beliefs.
‘’The Board of Directors of the SLBC has thoroughly investigated the matter, and the following conclusions were reached that Ms. Umu Thoronka is not a reporter for SLBC Makeni. She initially worked as a freelance contractor for SLBC in 2015 for a three-month period, followed by a subsequent contract that extended until 2018 when she ceased serving the Corporation,’’ SLBC said in a statement put out on Tuesday, 20 August, 2024, adding that like any member of the public who would bring business to the state broadcaster on commission, the journalist started supporting the country’s public broadcaster with marketing contents this year, but stated she was paid her first commission in June 2024.
The country’s state broadcaster noted that the decision to end her marketing endeavours on commission with the top public media entity was based on internal operational considerations, and not influenced by any external factors.
‘’In July this year, Ms Umu Thoronka flouted the SLBC policies by undertaking the following acts: She took SLBC footages without permission. She unduly utilized SLBC-branded contents on her personal social media platforms. She ran commentary on the SLBC-branded contents bringing the institution’s name into disrepute,’’ the country’s state public broadcaster claimed.
It further said they as a news institution remained steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professionalism, fairness and transparency pointing out that they welcome open dialogue and inquiries into their processes as it is essential to distinguish facts from speculation.
‘’We assure the public that our actions are consistently guided by our mandate to serve the people of Sierra Leone with integrity and impartiality,’’ the public broadcaster furthered.
‘’The whereabouts of the female journalist is unknown as she is in hiding, ‘’ a source told this medium. Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists is yet to release any statement on Journalist Thoronka’s case
