Speaker Of Parliament Bans Journalist From Parliament

By Desmond Isaac Macauley
The Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Honorable Segepoh Solomon Thomas has on Friday 10th January 2025 during the opening of Parliament, announced a decision to ban Melvin Tejan Mansaray a parliamentary journalist from entering Parliament.
“My attention has been drawn to the conduct of a particular individual who is parading this Parliament as a journalist. His name is Melvin Tejan Mansaray” he Said.
“I have been informed by members of Parliament on both sides of the isle that the day we came here to look at the report relating to the Auditor General, he was here and just after the voting, he has been engaging several media houses criticizing the decision of Parliament,” the Speaker stated.
He further that for such behavior, the journalist not have access to the precinct of Parliament until such a time when Parliament shall decide.
“Mr. Sargent at Arms make sure that if he is here let him go out, let him leave the precinct of Parliament,” he ordered.
In response to the decision made by the Speaker, the Leader of the main opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo noted that standing order 42 is instructive that the decision of the Speaker cannot be challenged.
“But Mr. Speaker when a journalist does something that is not correct, I want to implore your good office and the general house that we attract the attention of the governing bodies. We have the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Independent Media Commission (IMC). They are the most appropriate bodies to investigate the conduct of any journalist and maybe we will suggest to them punitive actions,” Honorable Kargbo advised.
Former Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Mohamed Bangura told the Speaker that the ruling has to do with freedom of speech.
“I want to know if this ruling is a temporary measure,” he enquired.
In his response the Speaker said, “I have said until such a time when Parliament shall determine, we are going to take proper steps to ensure that he is properly investigated after that I will take a decision to see whether he comes back or not but for now we shall not tolerate him.”