By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Reporters Union has formally received its updated 2025 Constitution, marking a major step in enhancing internal governance, accountability, and the protection of journalists across the country. The revised framework is expected to guide the union’s operations, electoral processes, and membership management while reinforcing transparency and professional standards.
The finalized constitution was handed over to Yeanor Kabia, President of SLRU, and her executive team by Ishmail Saidu Kanu, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, in a ceremony that brought together union leaders and stakeholders from across Sierra Leone. The event marked the culmination of months of consultations, drafting, and careful review aimed at harmonizing member input with organizational needs.
Chairman Kanu described the drafting process as thorough, inclusive, and transparent, emphasizing that the revised constitution reflects “the true voice and interests of reporters in Sierra Leone.” He noted that the final document consolidates amendments suggested by members during the union’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM), ensuring that the union’s governance aligns with democratic and professional principles.
President Kabia praised the review committee for their diligence, noting that the updated constitution provides a solid legal and operational foundation for SLRU’s work. She highlighted that the new framework will enhance executive oversight, promote accountability, and safeguard the rights of journalists, reinforcing the union’s mission to serve its members effectively.
The 2025 Constitution contains 15 detailed articles covering core areas of union governance, including objectives, membership criteria, electoral processes, regional coordination, financial management, and disciplinary procedures. By codifying these structures, the union aims to ensure operational clarity, prevent internal disputes, and foster unity among journalists nationwide.
Observers note that the updated constitution also positions SLRU to better engage with government institutions, media regulators, and development partners, enhancing the union’s capacity to advocate for press freedom, improved working conditions, and professional standards in journalism.
Union members have welcomed the development as a milestone in institutional strengthening, emphasizing that a clear, robust constitutional framework is critical for representing reporters’ interests and defending media rights in Sierra Leone’s evolving media landscape.
With the formal adoption of the revised constitution, SLRU now enters a new phase of structured governance, transparency, and member empowerment, signaling a stronger, more accountable union that can meet both current challenges and future demands of the profession.
