Freetown, 26th August 2026 – Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa, Esq., has called on stakeholders to take urgent steps to implement recommendations aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s public broadcasting and community media sector.
Kapuwa made the appeal on Tuesday during the official handover of the SLBC National Consultation Report and Community Media Proposed Reforms to the IMC. The reports were presented at the Commission’s headquarters in Freetown by Musa Sangarie, newly appointed Country Director of BBC Media Action, and the National Coordinator of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG).
The documents, produced after nationwide consultations under Tripartite Recommendation 77 and Recommendation 4 of the National Action Plan, outline reforms for the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and community media institutions.
Welcoming the reports, Kapuwa commended BBC Media Action and MRCG for their continued support to Sierra Leone’s media development. He congratulated Sangarie on his appointment and urged stakeholders to ensure the recommendations are incorporated into the ongoing review of the IMC Act and the SLBC Act.
Kapuwa stressed the importance of building SLBC into a strong, independent, and effective public broadcaster capable of serving the people of Sierra Leone. “These reforms are not just about institutions; they are about building a media landscape that truly belongs to Sierra Leone and will serve generations to come,” he said.
The handover is widely regarded as a significant step toward advancing media reforms, strengthening public broadcasting, and creating a more sustainable and responsive community media sector in the country.
