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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned for the safety of seven Sierra Leonean journalists, all longtime critics of the government who received identical anonymous death threats during the last week.

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2001 CPJ press release:

SIERRA LEONE: Seven journalists threatened with assassination

New York, September 25-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is
gravely
concerned for the safety of seven Sierra Leonean journalists, all longtime
critics of the government who received identical anonymous death threats
during the last week.

CPJ obtained a copy of one letter, postmarked September 14 and signed by an
otherwise unidentified "Danger Squad." Titled, "Warning: Journalists' Hit
List," the document named all seven journalists. "All must die before
elections, all these journalists are enemies of the state," it said.

The threatened journalists include David Tam Baryoh, head of the Center for
Media, Education, and Technology; Jonathan Leigh, editor of the Independent
Observer; Paul Kamara, founding editor of For di People; Chernor Ojuku
Sesay
of The Pool; Philip Neville of Standard Times; Richie Olu Gordon of Peep;
and Pios Foray of The Democrat.

"This is an extremely worrying development, and we urge Sierra Leonean
authorities to investigate this matter immediately," said CPJ executive
director Ann Cooper. "Similar threats preceded the murders of some 10
journalists by rebel forces in January 1999. Authorities should take
preventive measures now to protect our colleagues."

Journalists already targeted
CPJ sources in the capital, Freetown, report that the seven journalists on
the death list have been targeted in the past for their critical reporting
on government policies and the country's shaky recovery from a brutal civil
war.

Sierra Leone remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for
journalists. In 2000, Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels killed three
reporters, bringing to 15 the total number of journalists murdered in the
war-plagued West African nation since 1997. The RUF alone is responsible
for
13 of those deaths.

CPJ sources in Freetown believe that the journalists were threatened for
criticizing the government's decision to postpone presidential and
parliamentary elections. The elections were scheduled for December 2001 but
have now been put off until May 2002.

In a press release issued on September 22, the seven journalists said they
reported the matter to the deputy Inspector General of Police. The release
added: "We wish to believe that unlike other police investigations in the
country, this one [will] not die a natural death."

For more information about press freedom conditions in Sierra Leone, visit
www.cpj.org. CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization
that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

For further information, contact Yves Sorokobi at CPJ, 330 Seventh Ave.,
New
York, NY 10001, U.S.A., tel: +1 212 465 1004, fax: +1 212 465 9568, e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected], Internet: http://www.cpj.org/

The information contained in this press release/alert is the sole
responsibility of CPJ. In citing this material for broadcast or
publication,
please credit CPJ.