SLPP Official Accuses Journalists of False Report
Moses Sellu Mambu, the National Publicity Secretary for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), has accused journalist Victor Jones of conspiring with colleague Thomas Dixon to lodge a false report against him with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
The controversy stems from an incident on September 27, 2026, following a television broadcast at AYV. Dixon alleged that Mambu threatened him during the encounter by referencing the death of journalist Ibrahim Samura.
Addressing the allegations during an October 19 interview on Liberty TV’s Online Breakfast Show, hosted by Khadija Bangura and Mabel Kabba, Mambu denied issuing any threats. He asserted that he merely cautioned Dixon against insulting an entire political organization and its leadership.
“I never threaten him. I only told him he has to be careful. Insulting a whole political party, including the leadership, was wrong,” Mambu stated during the broadcast.
Mambu further criticized Jones, the show’s presenter, alleging that he aided Dixon instead of maintaining professional impartiality and ensuring guest safety during the program.
He also expressed frustration with media figures relying on professional associations to shield themselves when confronted over conduct, adding:
“They know they misbehaved, and their conscience would tell them what they did on air was wrong.”
According to Mambu, the ruling party opted not to pursue formal action due to other priorities, though he engaged with SLAJ out of deference to the organization.
In response to Mambu’s broadcast remarks, Jones submitted an official complaint to SLAJ on October 21 regarding claims of an anti-government bias. When contacted by SLAJ Secretary General Edward Farah Marah, Mambu clarified that his comments were directed at broader media institutions rather than Jones personally, though he maintained his claim of a joint false report.
Following an examination of available materials—including video footage of the program—SLAJ confirmed that its records contain no evidence of a false report filed by Dixon or Jones against Mambu.
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