Summary: Abdulai Gbla is a Sierra Leonean journalist who has practiced his trade for over a decade. He runs an online news outlet called “Gbla TV Online”, a multimedia online platform that focuses on exposing corruption, nepotism, tribalism, and other societal ills via social media. Gbla has faced vitriolic attacks and has even missed out on many opportunities because of his reporting the truth and holding the government accountable for its excesses.

Profile: Abdulai Gbla is a courageous journalist who is unfazed in pursuing his trade, despite bribes, threats, and attacks. One example: A member of Parliament who represents the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party pushed Gbla with great force. Glba fell on the ground and had his property destroyed, all because he was video-recording Parliamentary proceedings; he was eventually rescued by other officials. This act was eventually condemned by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, and the member of Parliament was censured.

Gbla has also received substantial threats from the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matthew Nyuma, who evidently didn’t like Glba’s critical reports on government issues. On many occasions, Glba has been prevented from covering sensitive parliamentary proceedings because of his commitment to stand with the truth.

“I report what I see without compromising the truth,” Gbla affirms.

Gbla investigated the unlawful dismissal of some staff of Parliament who had been labelled to be members of the opposition by the clerk of Parliament. The clerk had also employed his wife as a staff member of Parliament, even though his wife didn’t even show up to work. The case was taken up by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Since then, Gbla has been targeted by some supporters of the clerk of Parliament, trying to frustrate him from doing his work for the people of Sierra Leone.

On numerous occasions, Abdulai Gbla has been offered bribes but does not take them; he has gained recognition and trust from the people and continues to practice his trade with honor: “I shall continue to practice journalism without fair or favour, even if the heavens will fall.”