By Adama Conteh
In a recent interview with African Young Voices (AYV), Dr. Francis Sowa, Head of the Media Reform Coordinating Group, revealed significant developments regarding media reform in Sierra Leone. The discussion primarily focused on the repeal of the criminal label law and the subsequent efforts to bolster public interest content funding.
Dr. Sowa highlighted President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to supporting a conference on media investment in Sierra Leone. This initiative aims to address the decline in public interest content, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding to produce investigative and informative journalism.
During the interview, Dr. Sowa underscored the importance of establishing a National Fund for Public Interest Media. He lamented the loss of funds allocated for this purpose last year, stressing the necessity of financial support to enable media institutions and individuals to cover stories crucial to the public interest.
The proposed fund will provide grants to media entities seeking to promote content beneficial to Sierra Leoneans. Dr. Sowa emphasized the collaborative nature of the funding, involving key stakeholders such as the government, media organizations, and civil society.
Key components of the fund’s operation framework include a multi-stakeholder board comprising representatives from the Ministry of Information, the Independent Media Commission, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, and civil society. Development partners also play a crucial role in shaping the fund’s objectives and governance structure.
Dr. Sowa reiterated the significance of addressing media poverty and enhancing public interest content to improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans. He emphasized the autonomy of media institutions in deciding which stories to pursue while adhering to the fund’s vision for promoting public interest content.
As Sierra Leone moves forward with its media reform agenda, the establishment of a dedicated fund represents a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability and quality of journalism in the country.
