At a time when trust in the media is eroding and civic space is shrinking, the need for a truthful, credible voice and public-interest media in Sierra Leone cannot be overstated.
I know I have been away for too long. I am deeply grateful to all who checked on me. I needed time to mourn my wife, to heal, and to quietly work on something we have been building.
With #FreetownStories, I built a relationship of trust with many of you, both online and offline, and I assure you that bond will continue, now with a bigger platform.
Today, I am proud to announce that Truth Media Sierra Leone, a multimedia company I co-founded, is now fully operational. Our first publication, Truth Newspaper, is in your hands today, and Truth Radio 103.9 FM is back on air.
The journey here has not been easy. We have faced unexpected challenges, frustrations, and moments of deep stress and depression, so much so that at one point, I almost gave up. That story will be told another day.
But as my mentor and elder brother, Umaru Fofana, advised recently on the Honestly Speaking podcast with Antonia Howard, those struggles have only emboldened me to stand for the truth, to speak truth to power, and to hold public officials accountable.
Truth Media, duly registered and licensed to operate across radio, newspaper, television, and online platforms, has been established to serve as a credible, independent voice in Sierra Leone.
Our mission is to bring a fresh perspective to journalism in this country: one that is anchored on truth, justice, and accountability. We will hold public officials to account in a fair, transparent, and respectful manner. We will amplify the voices of ordinary people, and we will inform and empower citizens to engage meaningfully on the issues that affect their lives.
We are inspired by Sierra Leone’s growing demand for a media that is fearless, independent, professional, responsible, accountable, and sustainable through public trust.
I invite you to join us on this journey. We look forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and institutions as we roll out our programs across the country.
Follow us on our social media platforms and at www.truthmediasl.com
Nar True Dae Las!!
About the Publisher:
Amadu Lamrana Bah is an award-winning journalist and the 2023 Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Media Personality of the Year. A former President of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union, he has practiced for nearly two decades as a reporter, presenter, stringer, media manager, and mentor.
