𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞:

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞:
𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐲
𝐁𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧

Executive Summary
Journalism serves as the fourth estate, tasked with upholding truth, accountability, and ethical standards in society. In Sierra Leone, however, instances of unprofessional reporting—characterized by factual distortions, unsubstantiated accusations, and character assassination—threaten the integrity of the profession and public trust in institutions. This white paper examines the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” as a cornerstone not only for legal proceedings but also for responsible journalism. Using the case study of Amadu Lamrana Bah’s reporting on Truth Media regarding Admire Bio, contrasted with the Sierra Leone Police’s evidence-based investigation into Natasha Beckley, it highlights how biased and unverified narratives can erode journalistic credibility.
The analysis reveals a pattern of selective outrage and failure to adhere to basic investigative standards, exemplified by Truth Media’s implication of Admire Bio in drug dealing without evidence, while the police pursued Beckley based on a raid yielding tangible proof. Recommendations include legal action for defamation, formal complaints to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and, if necessary, judicial review to ensure accountability. By addressing these issues, Sierra Leone can sanitize its media landscape, protecting the nation’s image and fostering a more professional fourth estate.

Introduction
The presumption of innocence “innocent until proven guilty” is a fundamental legal principle enshrined in international human rights standards and Sierra Leone’s Constitution. While often associated with courtroom proceedings, it holds equal importance for journalists, who wield significant influence over public opinion. Journalists are custodians of truth, responsible for reporting facts objectively and avoiding premature judgments that could harm individuals or society.
In recent years, Sierra Leone’s media sector has faced criticism for unprofessional practices, including the distortion of facts, fabrication of stories, and extreme character assassination. Such behaviors not only violate ethical codes but also contribute to societal division and undermine trust in key institutions like the police and judiciary. This white paper explores the need for sanitization in Sierra Leonean journalism, using a recent high-profile case as an illustration. It argues that unchecked malpractice in the fourth estate must be addressed through regulatory, legal, and self-corrective measures to restore professionalism and protect the public interest.

The Problem: Unprofessionalism in Sierra Leonean Journalism
Sierra Leone’s media landscape, while vibrant and essential for democracy, has been plagued by issues of bias, sensationalism, and ethical lapses. Prominent journalists and outlets sometimes prioritize sensational narratives over factual accuracy, leading to distorted reporting that can incite public unrest or damage reputations without basis. This “foul stench of unprofessionalism,” as evident in character-driven attacks, desecrates the journalistic altar and erodes the profession’s role as a truth-seeking entity.
Examples abound of media houses creating non-existent stories or amplifying unverified claims, often laced with political undertones. Such practices are tolerated and sometimes encouraged by oversight bodies like SLAJ, which fail to enforce disciplinary actions consistently. The result is a downward spiral where the fourth estate, instead of holding power to account, becomes a tool for personal or partisan agendas, ultimately harming Sierra Leone’s national image and institutional integrity.

Case Study: Truth Media’s Reporting on Admire Bio in the Context of the Natasha Beckley Investigation
A stark example of these issues emerged in October 2025, involving Truth Media’s host, Amadu Lamrana Bah, and his reporting on alleged drug dealing tied to the synthetic drug Kush. The foundation of the report was a police wanted notice issued for musician and political aspirant Natasha Beckley following a raid on a property in Freetown. 2 On June 13, 2025, the Transnational Organized Crime Unit discovered nine polythene bags of suspected marshmallow leaves, five containers of acetone, gas masks, and weighing scales tangible evidence suggesting an illegal Kush manufacturing lab. The police, after extensive investigation, publicly linked the property to Beckley in a press release, prompting her arrest warrant and subsequent bail release.
In response to inquiries about property ownership, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr clarified that the Freetown City Council lacks the authority or records to confirm such details, directing authorities to the Administrator and Registrar General’s office or the Ministry of Lands. This statement underscored the council’s non-involvement and inability to assist, emphasizing that ownership verification requires legal processes beyond municipal purview.
Rather than focusing on these facts or conducting independent verification, Truth Media pivoted to accuse the police of selective and distorted investigations. Bah directly named Admire Bio President Julius Maada Bio’s niece and implied her involvement in Kush dealing on air, without presenting any evidence. This accusation echoed unsubstantiated public rumors, ignoring prior police searches of properties linked to Bio and her husband, Dauda Jalloh, in April 2024, which yielded no evidence of Kush production.

Truth Media’s approach exemplified unprofessionalism: no pertinent questions were raised about the Beckley property’s ownership, no interviews were conducted with raid witnesses or police officials (unlike other media outlets), and no staff were dispatched for on-the-ground reporting. Instead, the outlet highlighted perceived biases in police handling, contrasting Beckley’s case with unproven allegations against Bio, thereby implying strong political favoritism without substantiation.
When Admire Bio responded publicly, demanding an apology and threatening legal action, online communities and SLAJ accused her of threatening Bah’s safety. SLAJ issued a press release condemning Bio’s remarks but remained silent on Truth Media’s biased, lie-laced reporting. This selective response further illustrated institutional tolerance for malpractice.

Analysis: The Impact of Malicious Journalism
Truth Media’s handling of this case represents a malicious form of journalism, marked by extreme bias and a failure to uphold ethical standards. By accusing Bio without evidence while the police pursued Beckley with proof from a raid Bah distorted facts and engaged in character assassination. This not only violated the principle of innocence until proven guilty but also fuelled public division, portraying police actions as politically motivated without verification.
The broader implications are severe: such reporting undermines law enforcement, erodes public confidence in institutions, and damages Sierra Leone’s international reputation.
SLAJ’s failure to censure Truth Media, while defending Bah against perceived threats, signals encouragement of this downward spiral. If left unchecked, these practices will continue to desecrate the journalistic profession, turning the fourth estate into a platform for unchecked vendettas rather than truth.

Recommendations
To sanitize Sierra Leone’s journalism and prevent future abuses, the following actions are recommended:
1 Civil Action by Affected Parties: Admire Bio should pursue a defamation lawsuit against Truth Media and Amadu Lamrana Bah, seeking damages for unsubstantiated accusations. This would set a precedent for accountability.
2 Complaints to Oversight Bodies: The Sierra Leone Police should formally report Truth Media to SLAJ, demanding disciplinary measures for unethical reporting. If SLAJ fails to act impartially, a judicial review should be sought to assess its fitness for purpose.
3 Evidentiary Accountability: Truth Media must substantiate claims of police compromise in a judicial forum. Failure to provide evidence should result in sanctions.
4 Broader Reforms: Sierra Leone should leverage this incident to enact reforms, including stricter ethical guidelines, mandatory training on investigative journalism, and independent media monitoring. Legislation could mandate fact-checking and penalties for character assassination, ensuring the fourth estate serves the nation without wanton disregard.

Conclusion
The case of Truth Media versus Admire Bio, set against the backdrop of the Natasha Beckley investigation, underscores the urgent need for sanitization in Sierra Leonean journalism. By adhering to facts, respecting innocence until proven guilty, and conducting thorough investigations, journalists can reclaim their role as truth custodians. Failure to act will perpetuate a cycle of distortion and division. Through legal, regulatory, and self-reflective measures, Sierra Leone can rebuild a professional media sector that enhances, rather than destroys, the nation’s institutions and image. This must stop now.