Freetown—20th August, 2024: The European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Manuel Müller, paid a farewell visit to the Independent Media Commission (IMC) at the Commission’s headquarters, 54 Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown.
The Ambassador was warmly welcomed by the Chairman of the IMC, Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa, Esq., along with other commissioners and staff members. The visit began with a welcome address by the chairman. The Executive Secretary, Khalil Kallon, introduced all present commissioners and staff members.
In his remarks, Ambassador Müller highlighted his longstanding commitment to press freedom, emphasizing his close collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and media practitioners. He particularly commended the successful organization of Press Freedom Day in 2022, which was sponsored by the European Union. Ambassador Müller underscored the importance of continued collaboration among journalists and media practitioners, noting the recent countrywide tour organized by the European Union to promote press freedom and media inclusivity.
Ambassador Müller also shared insights from his tour, stating that it provided valuable perspectives on the progress of media-related initiatives in Sierra Leone. He noted that the tour offered media practitioners, including bloggers and social media journalists, the opportunity to explore various regions of the country, deepening their connection to their roots as Sierra Leoneans.
He emphasized that his visit to the IMC was not only a farewell gesture but also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the media sector and the commission’s plans to foster media growth.
In response, IMC Chairman Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa outlined several challenges faced by the commission, including the difficulties in monitoring media content and the increasing number of media institutions failing to renew their registrations. He also discussed the need for merging media entities into larger corporations, enhancing the training of community radio station managers, and improving governance structures within community radios. The Chairman also highlighted the ongoing review of the IMC Act 2020, which aims to accommodate new media in the current regulatory framework.
Mr. Kallon, the Executive Secretary, further emphasized the critical role of community radios in Sierra Leone’s democratic and accountability processes. He expressed concern over the hijacking of community radios by certain individuals within communities and the resultant loss of community ownership. He revealed that the IMC has developed a framework to strengthen the governance and management structures of community radios and advocated for sustainable solutions, such as the provision of solar panels, to address electricity challenges faced by these stations. Mr. Kallon also thanked the EU for its support during the recent elections, particularly in monitoring media coverage and reporting.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Müller reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of community radios and promised that the EU would look into this matter early next year. He also shared his experiences with social media, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the demands of new media.
The visit concluded with Ambassador Müller expressing his gratitude to the IMC for their continued support and expressing his hope to return to Sierra Leone in the future.
Khalil Kallon
Executive Secretary—IMC
