On 12 May 2025, the Speaker of Parliament Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas deferred the discussion of the findings of the report formally tabled by Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges concerning Melvin Tejan Mansaray, an investigative journalist and political commentator. Although a motion had been moved to debate the committee’s findings, the Speaker cited a congested agenda. The matter is now expected to be debated in a future plenary session. This effectively prolonged the continued restrictions of Mansaray’s watchdog role on parliament, freedom of expression and access to information from parliament.
The report follows an investigation into Mansaray’s 2025 New Year’s interview on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, during which he criticised Members of Parliament for failing to prioritise state accountability when they removed Auditor General Lara Taylor Pearce. These remarks were deemed by Parliament to be in contempt of the House and as undermining its integrity. In response, the Speaker imposed an indefinite ban on 13 January 2025 preventing Mansaray—a long-standing member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery—from entering the parliamentary precincts to cover parliamentary proceedings despite advice from Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo to refer the matter to the Independent Media Commission (IMC).
During the committee hearing, Mansaray was urged to issue a public apology and retract his statements. However, he admitted to participating in the interview but defended his remarks as sincere concerns made in good faith, arguing that they were not meant to ridicule Parliament and insisted any perceived contempt was unintentional.
The Speaker’s actions have drawn criticism from several civil society actors, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN). These organisations argue that the Speaker’s decision constitutes an attack on press freedom and have urged him to pursue formal complaints through the IMC rather than impose punitive measures unilaterally.