Sierra Leone enjoys a high level of religious tolerance and religious stability. There is no existence of a particular state religion and as such, there is in existence various religions including Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religions, etc. Any religion can establish a place of worship. However, before worship commences, the place of worship be it a church, mosque or temple must undergo registration with the Ministry of Social Welfare. There has not been any case where any religious group has been deregistered. Although Sierra Leone is known for religious tolerance, there were, very recently, very serious clashes between Christians and Muslims in some parts of the country. These clashes took place in one village called Mambolo in the Northern part of the Country and in Calaba town in the Western Area. These situations were however quickly resolved by public officers and the Interreligious Council, a council which comprises of representatives of all religions recognised and practised in Sierra Leone which has the duty among others, of ensuring that there is religious tolerance in the country. Article 9 Every individual shall have the right to receive information. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law. Legal framework Section 25 of the Constitution protects the right to freedom of expression and the press. According to the Constitution, freedom of expression includes “the freedom from interference with correspondence, freedom to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions and academic freedom in institutions of learning” This right however is limited in the interest of defence, public safety, public order and public morality and for the purpose of protecting the rights, reputations and freedoms of others. General practise There is a marked improvement in the operations of media outlets in Sierra Leone. To regulate the activities of the mass media and other matters connected with the mass media such as registration and licensing, the Independent Media Commission was established by the Independent Media Commission Act 2000. This Commission also monitors and ensures that the media operate in accordance with the law. In addition to the Independent Media Commission, there are unions for various sectors of the media, which bear the responsibility of seeking their best interest. These include the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and other unions for the editors and vendors. Previously, the landscape for the free dissemination of information by political parties was not even. Only the ruling party and/or the political party which was financially strong could have easy and unhindered access to the media, especially television.. In fact, before 2010, the political parties which had the financial capability owned their own independent radio stations that produced programmes which became incitful and led to anoumber of violence encounters between 13