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Lanbuk — Pat in Learning

Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2020

An Act amending the Public Order Act, 1965, notably in connection with the reform of criminal and seditious libel.

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Summary

The Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2020 amends the Public Order Act, 1965. It is associated with the landmark 2020 reform of Sierra Leone's media and speech laws, in particular the repeal of the criminal and seditious libel provisions that had long been contained in Part V of the Public Order Act.

As an amending statute it alters specified provisions of the principal Public Order Act and must be read together with it. The reform of the criminal-libel provisions was widely welcomed as a significant advance for freedom of expression and the press in Sierra Leone.

Main provisions

  • Amends specified provisions of the Public Order Act, 1965.
  • Associated with the 2020 repeal of criminal and seditious libel.
  • Advances freedom of expression and of the press.
  • Takes effect as part of, and is read together with, the principal Act it amends.