The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) has formally presented a comprehensive package of reform proposals and policy documents on the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and community media to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.
The documents were presented on Thursday, 20 August 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s media landscape and promote a more inclusive, accountable and sustainable broadcasting sector.
The package includes proposals for the reform of the SLBC, a draft SLBC policy, reports from nationwide consultations on SLBC reform, a desk study and technical paper on community media, with particular focus on tax incentives, subsidies and waivers for community media institutions.
Presenting the documents, MRCG National Coordinator, Dr. Francis Sowa, explained that the proposals were developed following extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including government representatives. He said the process was undertaken by three independent consultants under MRCG’s ongoing project, “Media Empowerment for Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability (MEDIA).”
Also speaking at the ceremony, BBC Media Action Country Director, Musa Sangari, expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for its continued support for media development initiatives. Receiving the documents on behalf of the Government, Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Aziz Bawoh, commended MRCG, BBC Media Action and all stakeholders who contributed to the development of the reports.