Two political radio stations banned in Sierra Leone

http://www.imc-sl.org/

08/07/2009 17:42 FREETOWN, July 8 (AFP)

Sierra Leone's Independent Media Commission has banned the radio stations of the two main political parties following government concerns over "inflammatory" broadcasts.

The commission said it decided to ban We Yone radio station, of the ruling All People's Congress, and Unity radio, of the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party, after deliberating with key stakeholders for four months.

The ban "is in the interest of public safety and national security since the stations failed to comply with the Commission's code of ethics," the commission said.

"Stakeholders interviewed during our consultation held the view that the existence of the two political parties radios did not add any value to the country's national unity and cohesion," it said. It described "the unique experience to have granted licenses to the stations as a failure".

The stations have been off the air since March following an order by the country's Vice President Sam Souma, who said their broadcasts were "inflammatory."

The action drew huge protest from the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and the issue was referred to the commission for action. Officials from both stations said they are "assessing the IMC's decision."

Sierra Leone is struggling to recover from a brutal 1991-2001 civil war that saw some 120,000 people killed and thousands mutilated and raped by rival forces.

Source: ©2009 AFP Africasia

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