By: Daniel Mansa, Alhaji Musa Bah, Hamza Koroma, Lamin Kargbo, Abu Bakarr Jalloh, Delvid Stanley-Coker, Sallu Kamuskay
In recent weeks, the announcement of the Sierra Leone Association of Bloggers (SLAB) has raised a number of concerns among the blogging community and the public at large. While the idea of having a unified body for bloggers may sound promising, it is crucial to examine the motives behind its creation and the potential risks it poses to the freedom of expression in Sierra Leone.
In a viral video posted on Facebook, Joseph Sannoh, the president of the Salone Bloggers Association, confirmed that the association is a political entity. “Ceebah was not there when we suffered for president Bio to become president” He expressed his disappointment after the Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE), Emmanuel AB Turay, distanced the ministry from the recently launched Salone Association of Bloggers (SAB). Turay stated that as a supervisory ministry for media matters in the country, they do not recognize the group as a national entity.
Who is a Blogger?
A blogger, by definition, is someone who regularly writes content—whether personal stories, informative articles, or opinion pieces—on a blog or website. Bloggers are not merely individuals with large social media followings; rather, they are creators of original, independent content. In a digital age where information is fast-paced and constantly evolving, bloggers play an essential role in shaping public opinion, providing alternative viewpoints, and offering important insights that might not always be covered by mainstream media.
The Concerns Surrounding SAB’s Formation
While the intention behind the formation of SAB may be to provide a platform for bloggers to collaborate, some critical aspects raise questions about the true nature of the group and its leadership. One of the main concerns is the apparent lack of experience and understanding among its leaders regarding the blogging world. Joseph Sannoh, the figure behind the creation of the group, is said to lack significant experience in the blogging sphere, and this could pose challenges when it comes to meeting the needs of the diverse community of bloggers in Sierra Leone.
Blogging requires more than just a presence on social media or the ability to gather followers; it requires deep knowledge of content creation, online engagement, and the digital media landscape. Leading a group of bloggers without a solid grasp of these concepts could potentially harm the community rather than help it grow. A leader with no hands-on experience may not fully understand what bloggers truly need, and this could lead to decisions that are not in the best interest of those it is supposed to represent.
No consultation was conducted with bloggers who have a significant presence in the digital space. This lack of inclusivity is alarming. Bloggers should have been at the center of the process, as they are the ones who know best what will serve the interests of the community. By sidelining experienced bloggers and excluding them from decision-making processes, SAB risks alienating those who have built the digital space and worked hard to make their voices heard.
The fact that high-ranking government officials were heavily involved in the launch without including independent bloggers of substance raises further concerns. A group that purports to represent bloggers should be inclusive of all voices, not just those aligned with the government. If SAB is truly to be a representative body for Sierra Leonean bloggers, it must ensure that it includes voices from all sectors—those who support the government as well as those who challenge it.
What’s The Image of Sierra Leone?
The Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation report after the long decade of civil war in Sierra Leone reveals the causes of the war in Sierra Leone. Among them were bad governance, endemic corruption, and the denial of basic human rights that created the deplorable conditions that made conflict inevitable. While governments under the leadership of previous presidents continue to build structures together with national and international organizations, some of the causes of the war still remain evident in the country amidst the strife.
Former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of blessed memories, among the former presidents acknowledging the problems and challenges, maintained that the citizens should be allowed to speak freely as long as they don’t go into the bush. On the 3rd of May 2001, during the celebration of World Freedom Day, he said, “Freedom of the press has been one of the casualties of the brutal rebel war, to the extent that Sierra Leone has been dubbed as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the world.” His words from about 24 years ago continue to resonate as the media, both traditional and recently digital, has been bought by political parties over time; the media continues to be muzzled. Majority is not all.
Presidents after presidents have continued to strive to prevent some of the causes of the war while others work on rebuilding the country. The late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah tried his best and instilled peace in the land. Former President Ernest Bai Koroma worked hard to rebuild the country’s infrastructure, achieving major infrastructural developments in many parts of the country. Rebuilding our identity is one among these three things which Sierra Leone has not really been able to do. When Sierra Leoneans travel outside to other countries, one of the first challenges they face is not food, cultural shock, or racism, but explaining their identity to people who ask them the first question a stranger gets in a foreign land: “Where are you from?” It’s difficult for them to answer this question, not because they can’t, but because the person who asked may be left in doubt and ask another question again. After the war, we lost our identity—our identity as the most peaceful country in the world; our identity as the most hospitable country in the world; our identity as the first country in West Africa to have a railway; our identity as the hub for learning and medicine in West Africa. We lost it. And what identity is there now? Civil war identity, Ebola epidemic identity, blood diamond identity, and many distorting identities. It’s a difficult task to rebrand an identity not just for a single person, but for a country with more than 7 million people. So when these Sierra Leoneans travel outside and encounter the question “Where are you from?” and they respond by saying “Sierra Leone,” the reply they get from those who asked is “Where is Sierra Leone? Is it a country in Africa?” “Oh, the blood diamond country!” “Oh, the Ebola country!” “Oh, the 11 years civil war country?”
These are the distorting images or identities of Sierra Leone by outsiders. Blogging platforms and YouTubers like Salone Messenger, The African Dream, Swit Salone, Issadin K, and others have been working hard to give Sierra Leone a new identity through their videos, articles, social media posts, etc. Their stories have changed the distorting narratives in a way that no mainstream media in Sierra Leone has. They have been the real bloggers propagating Sierra Leone’s stories in a positive way; they deserve respect and recognition.
The creation of the Sierra Leone Association of Bloggers by a man who has little or no knowledge about blogging and what it is about, a man who’s easily influenced by political leaders, seems like a political ploy to sabotage the work of the real bloggers in the country. It reeks of disrespect to the people who are working hard to stay up all night writing compelling articles, editing videos, and creating content that helps rebuild our identity, which has been broken and destroyed by the civil war, Ebola, and blood diamonds.
Fantacee Wiz Camara, a Sierra Leonean musician, said, “That said, I couldn’t help but laugh when I woke up to the news of a so-called Bloggers Association.”
Mamoud Bah, a Facebook user, said, “The dumbest thing any blogger will do is to join an association of bloggers propelled by Joseph Sannoh.”
The speculation surrounding the blogging mantra has long been coveted by individuals who have little or nothing to do with the profession.
Being a blogger encompasses more than regular Facebook posting or mediocre commentaries. You do not become a blogger by simply claiming it. What do you have to show?
Therefore, the idea that some people who have romantically entangled themselves with the corridors of certain political figures are forming a bloggers association is simply insane. The composition since its onset must be bred from a neutral and professional source. It must be an association that is apolitical and very uncompromising.
The Sierra Leone Association of Bloggers is rightfully a representation of the media in Sierra Leone. What would other nations say if they learned that the self-proclaimed pioneers of this organization are ill-equipped in media or clarity of thought? What would they think of us when they learn that these people have nothing practical to show in relation to the art?
Blogging, much like other forms of creative expression, thrives on the principle of freedom. It is a space where individuals can voice their thoughts, share experiences, and champion causes without being constrained by formalized structures.
While it is true that our social media space has seen its share of challenges, including misinformation and unethical practices, these issues cannot be addressed by regulation alone. The power of blogging lies in its diversity and decentralization, allowing communities to self-correct and hold one another accountable. A better approach would be for the Sierra Bloggers Association to focus on education and advocacy. By promoting media literacy, ethical blogging, and fact-checking initiatives, the association can empower bloggers to self-regulate while maintaining their independence. The truth is the integrity of the association is questioned. They can’t be trusted by some of us to lead us.
The Digital World is Changing Fast.
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and with it, the role of bloggers. To keep up with these changes, it is vital that bloggers, especially younger generations who are more adept at navigating the digital world, are given the tools and the platform to influence the direction of the community. Leadership in this space should come from those who are experienced and passionate about the future of blogging, not from individuals who may not fully understand the challenges and opportunities that the digital world offers.
It is essential for Joseph Sannoh and other leaders involved in SAB to listen to real bloggers and gain a deeper understanding of the needs and aspirations of the community before taking such an important step. Creating a group without this knowledge could lead to confusion and may do more harm than good.
Another key issue lies in the manner in which the launch of SAB was handled. At the launch event, which featured the First Lady’s face on billboards and included speeches from prominent government figures, the political undertones were hard to ignore. The inclusion of high-ranking pro-government personalities without fair representation of independent or critical bloggers suggests that SAB may not be an impartial entity for all bloggers. When political figures have such a strong presence at the formation of a group meant to represent bloggers, one cannot help but wonder if the real aim is to control the narrative or silence voices that challenge the government.
Bloggers, especially independent ones, have the ability to provide critical commentary and hold the government accountable. By co-opting the blogging community through such a highly politicized event, there is a real concern that SAB might act as a tool to limit freedom of expression and stifle dissenting voices. The very essence of blogging lies in its independence and its role as a platform for diverse opinions. If a government-backed group like SAB gains too much influence, there is a risk that the blogosphere could become a space where only government-approved narratives are allowed to flourish.
The Lack of Inclusivity and Transparency
Another troubling aspect is the creation of SAB’s constitution. Reports suggest that the constitution was drafted unilaterally, with little to
The formation of the Sierra Leone Association of Bloggers (SAB) is undoubtedly a significant event for the digital community in Sierra Leone. However, the manner in which it was launched, the lack of experience among its leaders, and the strong political influence involved raise serious concerns. For SAB to truly serve the blogging community, it must be transparent, inclusive, and independent of political interference. It should represent all bloggers, not just those with government ties.
If SAB becomes a tool to silence independent voices and limit free expression, it will undermine the very principles that make blogging such a powerful and vital force in society. The future of blogging in Sierra Leone depends on the ability of its leaders to truly understand and respect the digital space, engage with genuine bloggers, and foster an environment where diverse voices can thrive without fear of censorship or control.
