By Mariama Bundu
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), has called for a sustainable and predictable funding mechanism to strengthen the national broadcaster’s financial independence and public service delivery.
SLBC Director-General Josephine Kamara
The call was made on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during a National Conference on Sustainable Funding for Public Broadcasting at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, under the theme “Ring-Fencing Funding for the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation.”
The conference brought together government officials, media stakeholders, development partners, journalists, students and members of the public to discuss practical ways of securing SLBC’s long-term financial sustainability.
Speaking at the conference, MoICE Permanent Secretary Andrew S. Kamara said predictable funding was essential for SLBC to deliver credible, accessible and public-interest broadcasting across the country.
Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Abdul Aziz Bawoh, stressed that sustainable financing would help protect the corporation from political and commercial influence, ensuring that it serves the interests of citizens. He called for investment in public broadcasting, emphasizing the need for “not paid-for news, not fake news, but news for the citizens.”
SLBC Director-General Josephine Kamara highlighted the corporation’s nationwide reach, regional services and ability to broadcast in several local languages. However, she identified major challenges, including ageing transmitters and generators, inadequate digital infrastructure, limited equipment and rising operational costs.
She disclosed that SLBC received approximately NLe10.43 million in total cash receipts in 2025, comprising NLe6.37 million in domestic revenue and NLe4.06 million in government transfers. She warned that declining domestic revenue and changing advertising patterns have increased pressure on the corporation’s finances.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Information Minister Chernor Bah said the improvements made at SLBC, including facility renovations, better workers’ welfare and stronger programming, could not be sustained without reliable funding.
The Minister also highlighted the urgent need for digital broadcasting migration, estimating that the transition could require at least US$50 million. He further called for the redevelopment of SLBC’s unfinished building, which dates back to the 1970s, and proposed consideration of a dedicated public broadcasting fund.
He emphasized that any funding mechanism must be transparent, affordable and accountable, allowing citizens to see how resources are used and what services are delivered.
The conference concluded with two panel discussions focusing on sustainable financing options, institutional reforms and measures to safeguard SLBC’s long-term independence and public-service mandate.
