Killed in Misrata on April 20 during the early days of the Libyan translation of the Arab Spring, Hetherington’s work and life read like something out of one of his acclaimed works. Born 40 years ago in Liverpool, England, Tim read English literature and Greek at Oxford. Inspired during a trip to the Indian subcontinent Tim decided he wanted to make images and upon his return to the UK earned a diploma in Journalism at Cardiff.

No one knew what motivated Tim from the classics to images, but from his first job as a photojournalist at the Big Issue, a UK magazine for homeless causes, to his award winning pictures, documentaries, films, and his work with the kids at the Milton Margai School for the Blind, it is clear that Tim used his images to not only shed light on the stark realities of the pain and agony of conflict but also as a means of social activism to give voice to the voiceless.

‘He was not just a journalist, but a great humanitarian [with] human touch in abundance,’ said Peter Penfold. The former British Ambassador to Sierra Leone met Tim in Freetown towards the end of the brutal civil war. The two men started a letter-writing scheme between students at the Milton Margai School for the Blind (MMSB) and a UK-based school for the blind. The contrasting program resulted in the MMSB choir touring the UK culminating in a performance at Westminster Abbey, a feat only accomplished by one other individual, Elton John, when he paid a tribute to the late Diana Spencer.

It was during this and a 2007 tour that Tim formed a lasting bond with the first recipients of the Tim Hetherington Award, Alie Mansaray and Osman Kamara. During their acceptance speech, the duo paid a lighthearted tribute to Tim that left the crowd in stitches.

‘I am going to miss Uncle Tim. He was always available to us. Life has to end and sadly, Tim had to die; but he died doing what he loved. As a tribute to his life, I am going to use the award money to study journalism and continue where he left off. Tim’s message continues with us,’ said Osman Kamara.

The Tim Hetherington Award is an annual award established by the Hetherington family and Peter Penfold in support of the work of MMSB. The Hetherington family designated the school to honor the legacy of their son. Tim’s legacy and message of truth lives on in the hearts of the people he touched around the world. ‘Tim has left footprints in the sands of time that will never be wiped off,’ said Acting Principal of MMSB, Albert Sandy.

Jerry Kai-Lewis, Freetown.

The police have refused a peaceful planned demonstration for Mon 13th July by the Sierra Leone association of journalists (SLAJ).

The planned protest is against the failure of the Supreme Court to rule on SLAJ’s case calling for the repeal of the criminal and seditious libel laws from the law books of Sierra Leone. The Police had been given a 21-day notice as required by law.
The inspector general of Police Brima Acha Kamara told journalists he had used his ‘discretion’ and refused the permission sought by SLAJ to process peacefully and deliver letters to the president, parliament and the ombudsman.
Acha Kamara said he is not obliged to give his reason for the refusal and somehow arrogantly retorted ‘am I obliged to give reason No! It is my discretion, go and find other means.’
He then went on to say he would not allow journalists ‘to put undue pressure on the judiciary’. Questioned whether it was because of security concerns, the IG said he was totally against marching through the streets in a group or ‘processing.’ He could not be drawn on the issue that he was denying ‘a basic democratic right – the right to peaceful protest’.
Among his several promises before he became president in 2007, Ernest Bai Koroma said he would repeal the 1965 public order act to allow journalists more freedom.  Just like so many of his promises, he is yet to deliver on this one, two years into his presidency.
SLAJ President Umaru Fofanah said ‘it is a sad day.’