Claim: The U.S. Embassy expressed concern over the sacking of a female journalist at SLBC Makeni and called for an investigation into the incident.
Verdict: FALSE
Context: A message has been widely shared claiming that the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone is concerned about the dismissal of a female journalist from the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in Makeni. The claim suggests that the journalist was sacked after sharing a video of a town hall meeting held by President Julius Maada Bio and that the Embassy has urged an investigation into the circumstances leading to her termination.
Evidence: Sierra Check conducted a comprehensive review of the U.S. Embassy’s official social media platforms and public statements. No such statement regarding the sacking of the journalist at SLBC Makeni was found.
Additionally, Sierra Check directly contacted the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone for verification. The Public Affairs Section confirmed that the claim is false and that no such statement was issued by the Embassy. The Embassy has not made any public comments on this matter, nor has it requested an investigation into the journalist's dismissal.
Conclusion: The claim that the U.S. Embassy expressed concern over the sacking of a female journalist at SLBC Makeni and called for an investigation is baseless. The message is not supported by any official communication from the Embassy, and the Public Affairs Section has verified that the information is incorrect.
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