By Marion (Rion) Bangura
The Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association (SiLBA) on Friday, 27th February 2026, officially certified its members in the Eastern Province during a well-attended ceremony in Kenema, marking another milestone in the association’s expansion and institutional consolidation since its establishment in 2022.
The event brought together broadcasters, journalists, station managers, and media regulators from across the region, reflecting growing cohesion within Sierra Leone’s broadcast sector.
Delivering the welcome address, Eastern Regional Chairman of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Philipe Koroma, warmly received SiLBA and its leadership. He expressed appreciation for the presence of members from various media houses and reiterated his confidence in SiLBA’s direction.
Koroma emphasized that SLAJ, as the umbrella body for journalists, recognizes the importance of specialized associations like SiLBA in strengthening professionalism within the broadcasting sector. He assured the gathering of his full support for the reforms and improvements being championed by the association.
Commissioner Ahmed G. Kallon of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), Eastern Region, described himself as one of the founding members of SiLBA and expressed satisfaction with the association’s progress.
He underscored the strategic value of organized media bodies, noting that associations like SiLBA enhance structured engagement and facilitate quicker access to public information. According to him, the effectiveness of the Right to Access Information Act largely depends on journalists and broadcasters utilizing it responsibly.
Commissioner Kallon further indicated his desire to see a formal partnership between RAIC and SiLBA in the coming years, aimed at strengthening transparency and institutional collaboration.
In his keynote address, SiLBA President Stanley Bangura thanked SLAJ regional leadership, founding members, station managers, and representatives from other regions for their continued support.
Bangura described SiLBA as an interface between broadcasting institutions and regulatory authorities, serving as a responsive platform whenever challenges arise within the sector. He noted that the association has evolved significantly since its formation in 2022.
While acknowledging SLAJ as the “mother body” of journalists, Bangura clarified that SiLBA primarily focuses on institutional membership for broadcasters, particularly former and current station managers, although individual membership remains open. He disclosed that the association currently boasts 55 registered members nationwide, with the Eastern Region having the highest representation.
Bangura also highlighted SiLBA’s affiliation with the Continental Association of African Journalists (CAJ) and other international bodies, moves he said are intended to strengthen its institutional visibility and bargaining power.
The certification ceremony was not merely symbolic. Bangura outlined several key engagements undertaken by SiLBA with regulatory bodies.
He revealed that the association intervened with the National Communications Authority (NatCA) concerning radio stations whose licenses were being held due to operational challenges. Through dialogue, progress has been made toward resolving compliance issues.
Similarly, SiLBA engaged the Independent Media Commission (IMC) regarding proposed increases in licensing fees. The outcome, Bangura reported, was a significant achievement: a freeze on fee increments for the next few years and an extension of the compliance deadline from three to four months.
He further disclosed that discussions with IMC revived commitments to introduce a special support package for community radio stations—an initiative previously announced but not implemented. Assurance was given that the project would soon commence.
Bangura also recalled recent fire incidents affecting three radio stations within a two-month period, describing the situation as alarming. He stated that SiLBA is exploring ways to secure fire safety equipment to mitigate future risks and has appealed to stakeholders to support affected stations in restoring operations.
The ceremony climaxed with the issuance of official membership identification certificates to recognized Eastern Region stations, including:
- Eastern Radio 101.9
- Moa Radio 105.5
- Eastern Community Radio 96.5
- Vote Radio 88.9
- Njaluawun Radio 107.7
The vote of thanks was delivered by Massah Sellu, who expressed gratitude to attendees for their participation and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to unity and sectoral development.
With growing membership, regulatory influence, and regional consolidation, SiLBA’s certification drive in Kenema signals an increasingly organized and assertive broadcast sector in Sierra Leone.
