Kandeh Sesay, Managing Editor, The Watch Newspaper.On March 11, 2025, the Watch Newspaper, one of Sierra Leone’s leading investigative media outlets, was attacked violently by unknown individuals, shortly after the publication of a critical report detailing alleged corruption within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
This incident has raised serious concerns about journalist safety and the nation’s press freedom.
Earlier that day, two men claiming to be from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) approached The Watch’s newsroom and requested more information about the newspaper’s corruption exposé. Mr. Harold Tholley, the Advert Manager for The Watch Newspaper, noted that these people praised the publication for its role in exposing corruption and left contact information for the Managing Editor to follow up on.
However, the situation worsened later that evening when three unidentified men forced their way into the office and demanded to see the Managing Editor or the Editor. When questioned about their intentions, the intruders refused to explain, instead insisting on meeting with the newsroom’s leadership.
Mr. Tholley informed them that the Managing Editor was unavailable, but the assailants persisted, forcing their way into the office.
“They began to scatter documents and rummage through files, seemingly looking for something specific,” Mr. Tholley stated. “After not finding what they were looking for, they hurriedly left the office.” The chaotic scene left staff members rattled and worried about their safety.
Following the attack, Mr. Tholley attempted to contact the number left by the alleged ACC representatives, but it was unreachable. The Managing Editor, who is currently out of town, informed the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, about the incident. Nasrallah condemned the attack as a serious violation of press freedom and urged The Watch Newspaper to formally report it to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
This is not the first time the Watch Newspaper has received threats and intimidation. The publication has a long history of covering sensitive issues such as corruption, human rights violations, and the government’s alleged role in international drug trafficking. The latest attack raises serious concerns about journalists’ safety and the protection of press freedom in Sierra Leone.
As of now, authorities have not responded to the incident. Media watchdogs and press freedom advocates are calling for a full investigation into the attack on The Watch Newspaper, emphasizing the critical need to protect journalists who play an important role in holding power accountable and ensuring transparency within the government.
