By: Usman Fambuleh
IMATT College on Friday, 23 January 2026, hosted the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, and the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Joseph Ebenda Kapuwa Esq., as guest lecturers at the Department of Law. The academic engagement, held on the fourth floor of the IMATT College Kingtom Campus, attracted law students, lecturers, and invited guests.
Welcoming the distinguished visitors, the Proprietor and Board Member of IMATT College, Amadu Justice Bah, expressed appreciation for their acceptance of the invitation. He provided a brief history of the institution and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality legal education.
“IMATT College has often been referred to as the Harvard of Sierra Leone, due to the standard, quality, and efficiency of the education we continue to provide,” he stated.
Delivering a lecture on the oversight role, legal mandate, and regulation of the Fifth Estate (social media), the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, outlined ongoing efforts by his ministry to regulate the digital media space. He emphasized that while freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of democracy, it must be exercised responsibly and in public interest.
“Inasmuch as we desire a free society and free speech, responsibility is key,” the Minister noted. He assured media practitioners of his commitment to press freedom, stating:
“I will try my best to ensure that no media professional sleeps in jail—not under my tenure.”
The Minister encouraged students and media practitioners to consistently fact-check information to combat misinformation, noting that the ministry is often held accountable when false information spreads. He further disclosed that the government is developing policies to regulate individuals and institutions operating as news media on social media platforms.
“This regulation is aimed at protecting Sierra Leoneans, and that is why we will soon have a Data Protection Law,” he added.
He also highlighted citizens’ right to access information, announcing that for the first time in Sierra Leone’s history, decisions and conclusions of all cabinet ministries will be made accessible to the public.
In his lecture titled “The Digital Frontier: The Emergence of Online Broadcasters and the IMC’s Regulatory Approach,” the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission, Joseph Ebenda Kapuwa Esq., addressed the growing influence of digital and online media. He educated students on the history, mandate, and limitations of the IMC, as well as its regulatory authority over traditional media institutions.
He observed that while blogs and online broadcasters are increasingly at the forefront of news dissemination, many entities operating as news agencies are not registered with the Commission.
“For blogs, we are developing a compliance policy to regulate them not to reject them, but to ensure their content is balanced, credible, and serves the public interest,” he explained.
According to Mr. Kapuwa, such regulation will enhance professionalism and ethical standards in media content production. He further revealed that the IMC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, is developing robust regulatory frameworks to promote an ethical and responsible media landscape in Sierra Leone. He also highlighted key challenges facing the Commission and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all content producers operating in the country are properly regulated.
The Head of the Law Department at IMATT College and Media and Telecommunications Law Lecturer, Mohamed Wurie Bah Esq., underscored the importance of the engagement. He noted that the interaction provided students with first-hand exposure to public policy formulation, media regulation, and the practical application of the law beyond the classroom.
“This is just the beginning. We will continue to invite more professionals to lecture our students on critical areas of the law,” he assured.
The event concluded with a highly interactive question-and-answer session, allowing students to engage directly with the guest lecturers.
IMATT College reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and national development through sustained engagement with key stakeholders.