By Mahamood Fofana
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) has announced a significant increase in renewal fees for media institutions, effective January 2026, sparking strong criticism from radio, television, newspaper, and digital media operators. According to an IMC statement dated 29th December 2025, the fee adjustments are part of efforts to strengthen regulation, enhance monitoring mechanisms, and improve service delivery.
The announcement, however, has drawn widespread backlash from the media community. BBC Umaru Fofana, CEO of the Free Media Group, described the 150% hike in newspaper renewal fees—from One Thousand to Two Thousand Five Hundred Leones—as “exorbitant and out of touch” given declining sales, limited advertisements, and rising production costs. He argued that the IMC is failing in its mandate to support the industry, calling the fee hike “an albatross around our necks.”
Abdulai Sillah, Manager of Amzas Radio in Makeni, expressed shock at the increase of the annual radio renewal fee to Three Thousand Leones. He questioned the rationale behind the hike, noting that media institutions already operate under challenging economic conditions. “The IMC should focus on regulation rather than squeezing institutions that serve the public,” he said.
Abass Sesay, Manager of African Young Voices (AYV) Television, also criticized the Ten Thousand Leones annual renewal for television stations, citing limited advertising revenue and high operational costs. “A 150% increment is shocking. Running a television station is already expensive, and this will further strain our operations. I hope the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists intervenes,” he stated.
The fee increase comes amid broader challenges for Sierra Leone’s media, including limited advertising space, declining readership, and the rising cost of production. Media operators are calling for the IMC to reconsider the adjustments and focus on supporting rather than burdening institutions crucial to public information and accountability.
