By Mariama Bundu
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, joined global leaders including President Emmanuel Macron of France, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, and President Maia Sandu of Moldova at the International Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media in Paris. Co-convened by Presidents Macron and Mahama, the high-level forum focused on strengthening international cooperation to combat disinformation and support responsible, independent media. Minister Bah attended alongside Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to France, Mohamed Kanja Sesay.
Speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, Minister Bah highlighted Sierra Leone’s bold reforms advancing media freedom and information transparency. He cited the decriminalization of criminal libel, the adoption of a progressive National Information Policy, the forthcoming Data Protection law, and the establishment of a National Fund for Public Interest Media—a pioneering public-private-development initiative supporting independent journalism. According to Minister Bah, these initiatives demonstrate President Bio’s belief that democracy thrives where citizens are well-informed and the media operates freely and responsibly.
The Paris conference saw a strong reaffirmation from world leaders on the importance of defending information integrity, curbing disinformation, and upholding ethical journalism amidst growing digital disruption. Minister Bah emphasized Sierra Leone’s leadership role as Chair of ECOWAS, advocating for a regional culture of freedom of information and public interest media. He also called for global partnerships to ensure free, factual, and reliable information remains a public good, foundational to democratic governance.
Minister Bah’s engagement in Paris reinforces Sierra Leone’s commitment to media freedom and positions the nation as a regional model in promoting open, transparent, and accountable governance.
