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
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