Freetown, 5th January 2026 – A new study by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG-SL) has revealed troubling realities about the welfare of journalists in Sierra Leone, with nearly 26 percent (25.9%) of practitioners reporting that they have never received a monthly salary.
The nationwide survey, conducted in 2025, targeted 112 journalists across radio, television, newspapers, and online media, representing all regions of the country. The findings paint a blunt picture of the challenges facing the profession, raising urgent questions about sustainability, professionalism, and press freedom.
The figures reveal that 25.9% of journalists say they had never received a monthly salary, 41.1% reported being on a monthly salary but receiving it late. Only 33% said they were paid regularly and on time. 42% of journalists earn below the national minimum wage, and 47.3% are not registered with the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT).
The study covered 98 media outlets nationwide and assessed working conditions, salary structures, compliance with welfare provisions of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), and safety mechanisms for journalists.
The report urges the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), and other national media organisations to intensify advocacy for fair pay and compliance with labour laws. It recommends that the IMC enforce minimum wage standards during licence and registration renewals by inspecting payroll records and working conditions across the country.
The study also highlights the need for targeted measures to support female journalists, calling on the Women in Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) and other organisations to push for equal representation and compliance with maternity leave provisions.
The findings underscore the precarious state of journalism in Sierra Leone, where many practitioners continue to work without basic protections or a reliable income. The MRCG study recommends urgent reforms to ensure that journalists are treated with dignity and fairness.
