Journalists beaten in Sierra Leone
31/03/2010
Journalists are being beaten when trying to practice their profession in Sierra Leone.
According to Inter Press Service News Agency, ten such reporters were manhandled during a delegate's conference for the opposition party - the Sierra Leone People's Party.
The fighting came as a result of a disagreement regarding an amendment to the political faction's constitution, the news source reports.
Ishmael Bayoh, works for Awoko newspaper and was one of those attacked.
He explained that the violence began when they tried to photograph members leaving the hall.
Mr Bayoh said: "They beat us, confiscated our cameras [and] recorders and then prevented us from covering some of the other sessions."
The website claims this is not an isolated incident, as four news reporters were abducted in February after exposing a story about a group that practices female genital mutilation.
Tony Blair made headlines last month as he visited the country to discuss the possibility of free health care fro women and young children.
Written by Simon Bassett
