This complaint was lodged with the Commission on 3rd September 2025 by Mrs. Hawa Sallay Samai, Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, against Salone Compass Newspaper over its publication dated 2nd September 2025, titled: “A COMMISSION FOR PEACE OR A STAGE FOR MISMANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.”
Several hearing sessions were conducted on this matter. During the hearing held on Tuesday, 10th March 2026, Mr. Moses Margao, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, restated the complaint in the presence of Mr. Ibrahim Alusine Kamara, Managing Editor of Salone Compass Newspaper.
Complainant’s Case
Restating the complaint, Mr. Moses Margao stated that the publication in question contained allegations that did not reflect the activities, operations, or reputation of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion. He maintained that the allegations were unfounded, misleading, and misrepresented the institution. He further stated that the publication had the potential to undermine the credibility and professional reputation of the Commission.
Mr. Margao explained that the establishment of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion in 2021 was not fully implemented in accordance with the law. He noted that under the enabling Act, only the Chairman and Board Members were to be appointed by the President, while the recruitment of technical staff was the responsibility of the Board. However, this procedure was not followed.
He informed the Committee that the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) subsequently conducted a functional review of the Commission and recommended that the provisions of the Act be complied with. Consequently, technical staff who had been appointed by the President were to be terminated and allowed to reapply for their positions through a competitive recruitment process.
According to Mr. Margao, the President accepted the recommendations of the PSRU. While some Directors disagreed with the recommendations, the President authorised the Board to conduct interviews and recruit technical staff in accordance with the law. He stated that some of the aggrieved individuals subsequently embarked on a campaign to bring the Commission into disrepute.
Mr. Margao maintained that the publication by Salone Compass Newspaper was inaccurate and misleading. He further stated that the newspaper failed to contact the Commission to obtain its side of the story before publishing the article.
Respondent’s Case
Following the restatement of the complaint, Mr. Ibrahim Alusine Kamara, Managing Editor of Salone Compass Newspaper, requested a two-week adjournment on the grounds that he was travelling to the provinces to attend his mother’s burial.
During the final hearing of the complaint held on 10th March 2026, representatives of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion were absent. However, Mr. Ibrahim Alusine Kamara was present and submitted the newspaper edition containing a retraction of the publication. He informed the Committee that both parties had amicably settled the matter outside the Commission’s complaints process. This information was subsequently confirmed by the Executive Secretary.
Committee’s Findings
After deliberating on the matter, the Committee made the following findings:
- The parties had amicably settled the dispute outside the Commission’s complaints process.
- Salone Compass Newspaper acknowledged that it no longer stood by the publication and had published a retraction.
- However, the Committee noted that the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion was not aware of the retraction that had been published.
Ruling
The Independent Media Commission at its meeting held on 28th May 2026, ratified the recommendation of the Complaints Committee in line with Section 19(6) of the IMC Act 2020, as follows:
- That the Editor of Salone Compass Newspaper publishes a retraction with the same prominence as the original publication immediately upon receipt of this ruling.
- That the Editor be cautioned to ensure that all facts are properly verified before publication and that the affected party is given an opportunity to respond to allegations in keeping with the principles of fairness, balance, and responsible journalism.
