Freetown — President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) has expressed concerns over the alleged physical assault of two members of her group, Yvette Cole-Smith and Marie Kamara on Monday by police personnel at the Lungi International Airport.

Mariama Sesay said the incident occurred while the two female journalists were executing their duties by investigating the matter involving the abandoned plane found with illicit consignment of cocaine at the airport.

A release issued on Tuesday by WIMSAL to that effect states: "we view this action as totally unacceptable in a democratic society as it prevents the press from discharging its function accurately and objectively." Sesay observed that physical assault could be more dangerous to female media practitioners as it will destroy them both physically and psychologically.

WIMSAL called on appropriate authorities including the Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter as their members are currently responding to treatment and will produce medical reports and other recorded tapes for investigation.