About one hundred and fifty three prisoners in Sierra Leone receives presidential pardon and were released on the first of January 2012.The Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Prisons

  The Independent Media Commission IMC Sierra Leone has launched the 2011 National Media Awards. Rod Mac Johnson is the Chairman of the IMC. Addressing journalists in Freetown, Mr. Mac-Johnson stated that one of the roles of the IMC is to encourage journalists to shake-off traits of general reporting and become specialists in journalism. He noted that the IMC National Awards offers the best platform for journalists to diversify their interests. He urged reporters to improve on their talents and open what he referred to as ‘the knack for research’ to harvest credible facts and figures to improve their reporting skills. The IMC Media Awards is an annual event geared towards recognizing the talents of Sierra Leonean journalists. About twenty-five awards categories have been selected for the 2011 National Media Awards such as best Agricultural reporter, Environmental reporter, tourism, Human rights reporting and investigative journalism among others.

  Director of Amnesty International Sierra Leone says despite the progress made in the human rights situation of the country in recent times, Sierra Leoneans still continue to suffer from a range of human right abuses.

Thirty-Four people from all walks of life on Tuesday received National Awards from President Ernest Bai Koroma at the State House in Freetown. The Awards included that of Grand Officers of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Commanders of the Order of the Rokel. Chief Justice Umu Hawa Tejan-Jalloh and Honorable Justice Abel Nathaniel Stronge, Speaker of Parliament were awarded Grand Officers of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Hector Reginald Sylvanus Bultman, the only surviving delegate of the Lancaster House Independence Talks that ushered in Sierra Leone’s independence was awarded Commander of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Veteran journalist, Sam Metzger was made an officer of the Order of the Rokel. Carver and Sculptor, Samuel Samei Marco and Fishmonger at Kroo Town Road Market, Ernestine Coker were among those who were made members of the Order of the Rokel. This year’s awards ceremony was held as part of the activities marking Sierra Leone's fiftieth independence anniversary.