By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Vice President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Richard Ngevao, has called on community radio managers across Sierra Leone to move beyond advocacy and translate research findings into practical action to strengthen the sustainability of community media.
Ngevao made the call during SLAJ’s engagement with community radio managers on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Amril’s Multipurpose Hall in Mile 91. The engagement was held on the theme: “Subsidies, Tax, Incentives and Waivers.”
He urged community radio managers to make effective use of existing research and reports on indirect subsidies, tax incentives, waivers and other support mechanisms available to community media organizations.
Ngevao encouraged managers to carefully study the findings, identify opportunities relevant to their respective stations and proactively engage government institutions and development partners to access available support.
He stressed that the sustainability of community radio goes beyond financial assistance, noting that strong governance, regulatory compliance, professional journalism, responsible broadcasting and sound financial management are equally important to ensuring the long-term viability of community media.
The SLAJ Vice President also called on community radio stations to constitute or reconstitute their Boards of Directors, noting that stations established as community assets must remain accountable to and serve the interests of the communities for which they were established.
He reaffirmed SLAJ’s commitment to promoting a strong, independent, professionally managed and financially sustainable community media sector capable of serving the public interest and empowering citizens, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
Ngevao further called for stronger collaboration among media organizations, regulators, government institutions, development partners and local communities, stressing that the sustainability of community media requires collective responsibility and coordinated action.
He expressed appreciation to the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), BBC Media Action and the European Union (EU) for their support towards the initiative, noting that such partnerships are critical to strengthening community media and advancing media development in Sierra Leone.
He concluded by calling on community radio managers and other stakeholders to move from research to action, advocacy to implementation, and challenges to solutions.