The Guild of Newspaper Editors – Sierra Leone (GONE-SL) strongly condemns the raid conducted on Tuesday 18 November, 2025 by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the office of The Watch Newspaper.
According to staff present, CID officers stormed the premises claiming they were searching for the Managing Editor of The Gleaner Newspaper. Workers clarified that The Gleaner does not operate from that office, yet the officers insisted that the secretary of The Watch must accompany them to CID for further questioning.
The Guild views this action as intimidation, harassment, and a dangerous threat to press freedom. Police raids on media houses have no place in a democratic society and must be unequivocally condemned.
Guild Chairman Thomas Dixon stated: “Media houses should not be
subjected to police raids for publishing a story. If the Police want intelligence, they can use the story as a lead. What they did on Tuesday amounts to harassment and intimidation. There are many people online with pictures and videos of Jos Leijdekkers who could be of immense help to them.”
The Guild underscores that journalists cannot and should not be compelled to provide intelligence to the Police. Newsrooms are not extensions of law enforcement, and reporters must be able to work freely without fear.
We call on the Sierra Leone Police to explain this action, ensure accountability, and refrain from any further harassment of media institutions.
The Guild remains committed to defending the rights, safety, and independence of all journalists and editors in Sierra Leone.
