Ebola In Sierra Leone: Talk Show Host Arrested For Criticizing President’s Response To Ebola

David Tam Baryoh, who hosts a programme called "Monologue" on Citizen FM, was taken to Freetown's notorious Pademba Road jail on Tuesday, November 4 after President Ernest Bai Koroma reportedly ordered his arrest. A talk show host in Sierra Leone has been arrested after he criticized President Ernest Bai Koroma's handling of the Ebola outbreak. David Tam Baryoh, who hosts a programme called "Monologue" on Citizen FM, was taken to Freetown's notorious Pademba Road jail on Tuesday, November 4. A government spokesperson, Abdulai Bayratay said: "The detention came from an executive order which was signed by President Ernest Koroma and it was executed by the police." "The president has the power to do this under the public order state of emergency regulations which were approved by parliament in July.... In essence some freedom and civic freedoms have been curtailed," he added. Baryoh's show was also reportedly taken off air during a live broadcast on November 1 after an interview with an opposition party spokesman during which they both criticized the Sierra Leonean government's handling of the Ebola outbreak and Koroma's intention to run for a third term in office. Sierra Leone is one of the nations worst hit by the current Ebola outbreak accounting for more than 1500 of the almost 5000 casulaties.