Freetown, Sierra Leone — 6 October 2026: The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has condemned an alleged threat against journalist Thomas Josephus Dixon, Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors and Managing Editor of New Age Newspaper, and called for an immediate, impartial and credible investigation.

According to a statement issued by SLAJ on Tuesday, the alleged threat was made by Moses Sellu Mambu, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), following a television programme at Africa Young Voices (AYV) in Freetown on September 27. 

SLAJ said Dixon filed a formal complaint alleging that Mambu approached him after the programme and threatened to “hit” him, while allegedly making reference to the death of journalist Ibrahim Samura, who died after sustaining injuries following an assault while covering the 2018 elections.

According to the association, programme presenter Victor Jones, who was reportedly present during the encounter, subsequently provided a formal eyewitness account corroborating Dixon’s allegation. 

SLAJ described the reported statement as “extremely grave and disturbing,” particularly because of the alleged reference to Samura’s death. The association said the seriousness of the allegation warranted an immediate investigation by the appropriate authorities.

SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara stressed that threats against journalists go beyond the individuals involved and have wider implications for press freedom and the public’s right to information.

“A threat against a journalist should not be seen as a personal matter only; it is a direct threat to the free press and, by extension, the public’s right to know.”

Mambu has denied making the alleged threat. According to SLAJ, he told the association’s Secretary-General, Edward Fara Marrah, that he had only advised Dixon to be careful following the programme. 

SLAJ is urging the Sierra Leone Police and other relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident and take appropriate action. The association also called for consideration of Dixon’s security and reiterated that journalists should be able to perform their professional duties without intimidation or fear.