By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association (SiLBA) has taken another significant step toward strengthening professionalism and unity within the country’s broadcasting industry by awarding official membership certificates to registered radio stations during a regional engagement held in Makeni.
The certification ceremony, which took place on Saturday, 6 June 2026, at Where Else Hotel in Makeni, brought together broadcasters, media regulators, journalists, station managers, and representatives of media support organizations from across the Northern Region. The event formed part of SiLBA’s nationwide effort to formalize membership, strengthen institutional cooperation, and promote standards within Sierra Leone’s broadcasting sector.
Welcoming participants to the occasion, SiLBA Vice President expressed appreciation to representatives from various media organizations who travelled from different parts of the country to witness what he described as a milestone event for broadcasters in the region. He noted that the gathering demonstrated the growing recognition of SiLBA as a key stakeholder in advancing the interests of radio and broadcast practitioners nationwide.
Representing the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the North Regional Chairperson recalled her longstanding connection with SiLBA, noting that she had been part of the association during its formative years and previously served as treasurer. She commended the leadership of the organization for sustaining its vision and bringing broadcasters together under a common platform.
She emphasized that while SLAJ remains the umbrella organization for journalists across the country, SiLBA serves a unique role by focusing specifically on the interests and challenges facing broadcasters. According to her, the media industry continues to face numerous obstacles, including financial pressures, professional challenges, and competition from emerging digital platforms. She expressed hope that SiLBA would continue to play a constructive role in addressing these concerns.
Also speaking at the event, the Northern Regional Director of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Samura, praised SiLBA for fostering greater collaboration among broadcasters. He disclosed that the IMC has benefited from the association’s engagement with regulators, adding that constructive dialogue between the two institutions has contributed to reducing complaints and improving understanding of media regulations.
He further highlighted the importance of continuous professional development, noting that many journalists have enhanced their skills through training opportunities facilitated by media organizations. He encouraged radio station owners to fulfill their financial obligations to professional bodies and regulators despite the economic difficulties facing the industry.
The Chairperson of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) North also applauded SiLBA for promoting unity among broadcasters. She observed that collaboration among media practitioners was more challenging in the past and praised the association for creating a platform that encourages cooperation rather than competition.
She called for greater gender inclusion within media institutions and urged radio station proprietors to provide more leadership opportunities for women, particularly in managerial and decision-making positions. According to her, increasing female representation in station management would contribute to stronger and more inclusive media institutions.
Delivering the keynote address, SiLBA President Stanley Bangura reflected on the association’s growth and achievements since its establishment. He explained that SiLBA was created to address the unique concerns of broadcasters, just as other professional media bodies cater to specific categories of journalists.
Bangura emphasized that one of the association’s core objectives is to engage regulators and policymakers on issues affecting radio stations, including registration requirements, operational challenges, and industry reforms. He cited recent engagements with the IMC as evidence of SiLBA’s commitment to advocating on behalf of its members.
Addressing concerns about the rise of social media, Bangura maintained that radio remains the most trusted source of information for many Sierra Leoneans despite growing digital competition. He stressed the need for broadcasters to adapt to changing media landscapes while maintaining professional standards and credibility.
The SiLBA President also revealed plans to establish an equipment support hub aimed at helping radio stations access standard broadcasting equipment. The initiative, he explained, is partly informed by recent fire incidents that affected several radio stations and highlighted the vulnerability of many media houses.
He disclosed that the association continues to seek support from government, development partners, and private institutions to assist affected stations and strengthen broadcasting infrastructure across the country. Bangura further announced that SiLBA has secured support from the United States Embassy in Sierra Leone for a capacity-building programme that will initially benefit fifteen members.
He also highlighted the association’s growing international profile, noting that five members represented SiLBA in China in 2025, creating opportunities for collaboration with international media organizations.
The event concluded with the presentation of membership certificates to numerous radio stations, including Hope Radio FM 93.3, Galaxy FM 106.1, Mankneh FM Radio 96.1, Shakom Radio FM 89.5, Khalifa Radio FM 89.4, Gbaft Radio FM 91.3, Amzas Radio FM 96.9, Shalom Radio FM 93.3, SLBC Radio FM 88.1, Bintumani Radio FM 93.7, Marwopnet Radio FM 88.4, and several others. The Makeni ceremony marked the third phase of SiLBA’s nationwide certification exercise, following similar engagements in Bo and Kenema. The association is expected to continue the initiative in Freetown as it seeks to consolidate its membership base and strengthen the future of broadcasting in Sierra Leone
