Former reality TV star and politician Ibrahim Tejan Fofanah has expressed concerns over the approach used by Liberty Online TV presenters Mabel Kabba and Khadijah Bangura when interviewing representatives of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government. In a statement on his Facebook page, Fofanah, a former regular viewer of Liberty Online TV, noted that there appears to be a difference in tone, approach, and level of scrutiny applied when interviewing SLPP representatives compared to those from the opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
Fofanah stressed that journalism demands fairness, professionalism, consistency, and impartiality, and that journalists have a responsibility to question everyone in public office and hold all political parties accountable, regardless of their affiliations. He emphasized that APC representatives appearing on the programme should face the same level of scrutiny as their SLPP counterparts, including being challenged on their claims and asked to provide evidence.
According to Fofanah, SLPP representatives should also face tough questions on government decisions, policies, failures, and achievements. He stated that there should be no political protection for anyone and that allegations made by representatives of either party should be subjected to evidence-based questioning and scrutiny. Fofanah clarified that his concerns were not about giving the SLPP Government special treatment, but rather ensuring that President Julius Maada Bio and his administration remain accountable to the people of Sierra Leone.
Fofanah urged the presenters to apply consistent standards when interviewing representatives of both the ruling party and the opposition. He noted that viewers pay attention not only to the questions asked during interviews but also to the tone, follow-up questions, interruptions, willingness to challenge guests, and opportunities provided to different political voices. Fofanah emphasized that Liberty Online TV has a responsibility to serve the public interest rather than create the impression of favouring one political side over another.
Fofanah outlined five key standards he would like to see maintained by the presenters: equal scrutiny for APC and SLPP representatives, the same tough questions regardless of political affiliation, evidence-based challenges to political allegations, equal opportunities for guests to defend their positions, and consistent attention to the records of both the ruling party and the opposition. He acknowledged Mabel Kabba and Khadijah Bangura as respected media personalities but maintained that their work deserves scrutiny just as much as that of the politicians they interview.
Fofanah concluded with a pointed question directed at the presenters: “So, you want to scrutinise others, but you don’t want to be scrutinised yourself?” He added that journalists should never leave viewers questioning whether political affiliation influences the direction of an interview. Fofanah's statement has sparked a conversation about the role of journalists in maintaining impartiality and fairness in their interviews.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by journalists in balancing their reporting and maintaining public trust. As a former reality TV star and politician, Fofanah's comments carry weight, and it remains to be seen how Mabel Kabba and Khadijah Bangura will respond to his concerns. The issue of impartiality in journalism is crucial in ensuring that the public receives accurate and unbiased information, especially in a country like Sierra Leone with a fragile democracy.
Key points
- Fofanah demands equal scrutiny for APC and SLPP representatives in interviews.
- He emphasizes the need for evidence-based questioning and challenges to political allegations.
- Fofanah urges Liberty Online TV presenters to apply consistent standards when interviewing representatives of both parties.
