Media Reform Coordinating Group - Sierra Leone

25/03/2026

23/03/2026

The March 23, 1991, invasion in Sierra Leone marked the beginning of the brutal Sierra Leone Civil War. This day is remembered for the assault launched by a group of rebel fighters from neighboring Liberia, which led to a decade-long conflict with devastating consequences for the country.

The rebel group that launched the invasion was called the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF was led by Foday Sankoh, a former soldier who had been involved in a failed coup in Sierra Leone in the 1980s and had received support from Liberia's then-President Charles Taylor. Sankoh and his forces sought to overthrow the Sierra Leone government, which they accused of being corrupt and oppressive.

This short video on the start of the Civil War in Sierra Leone is produced by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with support from the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), under the project "Engaging the Media and Communities to Change the Narratives on Transitional Justice (TJ) Issues in Sierra Leone."

BBC Media Action Sierra Leone
Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion ICPNC -SL

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education

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The March 23, 1991 invasion in Sierra Leone marked the beginning of the brutal Sierra Leone Civil War. This day is remembered for the assault launched by a g...

20/03/2026

One Year Since the Launch of the National Fund for Public Interest Media in Sierra Leone: Assessing the Impact of the Grants.

By MRCG

The National Fund for Public Interest Media (NaFPIM), supported with fundings from the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) and the United Kingdom, has over the past seven months, emerged as a transformative intervention in Sierra Leone’s media landscape—strengthening both the capacity of media institutions and the quality of information accessible to citizens. Through its support to 14 grantees across the country, the fund has not only sustained media operations but also redefined the role of journalism in advancing public interest, accountability, and inclusive national development.

At the core of NaFPIM’s impact is its direct support of over $50,000 to the 14 media outlets. These institutions—ranging from radio stations and print outlets to digital platforms—have benefited from financial stability, technical assistance, and editorial guidance. This support has enabled them to: increase production of public interest content. Grantees have significantly expanded programming on governance, health, education, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Issues that were previously underreported—especially in rural communities—are now consistently featured. It has also improved professionalism and editorial standards. With access to training and structured funding, journalists of the 14 media houses have enhanced their investigative skills and ethical reporting standards. The fund has also expanded reach and accessibility. All the grantees have improved their distribution channels, including community radio pe*******on and digital dissemination, ensuring that information reaches underserved and remote populations.

For media audiences across Sierra Leone, the effects of NaFPIM have been both visible and meaningful. There’s now improved access to reliable information. Citizens now receive more accurate, timely, and balanced reporting, particularly on issues affecting their daily lives. There’s also now an enhanced civic awareness and participation. With more informative programming, communities are better informed about their rights, government policies, and development initiatives—leading to increased public engagement. In the area of amplification of marginalized voices, women, youth, and rural populations are increasingly represented in media narratives, fostering inclusivity and social cohesion.

Since the launch of the grant and the subsequent implementation by grantees, the MRCG has demonstrated strong leadership in ensuring that funded activities translate into tangible impact. MRCG has established a robust monitoring framework to track the quantity and quality of content produced by grantees. This includes: regular review of broadcast programs logs, publications, and digital outputs, assessment of thematic relevance to public interest priorities.

Through these efforts, MRCG has ensured that funding is aligned with meaningful and impactful. MRCG has closely monitored how content is disseminated in these communities.

MRCG has also maintained continuous engagement with grantees through: capacity building sessions and mentorship, monthly meetings, editorial feedback to improve content quality, and guidance on financial accountability. These hands-on approach has strengthened institutional resilience and sustainability. Through regular reporting mechanisms and performance evaluations, MRCG has upheld accountability in the use of funds. This has built confidence among stakeholders and reinforced the credibility of NaFPIM as a national initiative.

The ripple effects of NaFPIM extend beyond media houses and audiences: Democratic governance is strengthened as citizens are better informed and able to hold leaders accountable. Social development is supported through increased awareness of health, education, and human rights issues. Media sustainability is enhanced, reducing dependence on politically influenced funding sources.

In just seven months of implementation, NaFPIM—under the stewardship of MRCG—has demonstrated that strategic investment in public interest media can yield profound societal benefits. By empowering 14 grantees and enriching the information ecosystem for millions of Sierra Leoneans, the initiative is laying a strong foundation for a more informed, engaged, and democratic society.

If sustained and scaled, its impact could redefine the future of media in Sierra Leone—making it more independent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of its people. The MRCG is still calling on the government of Sierra Leone to fulfill its commitments to the fund as it is a national initiative.

11/03/2026

Who do you think are the key perpetrators of online abuse against women?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

08/03/2026

Today, we join WIMSAL, one of our constituent member organizations and all female journalists across the country to commemorate International Women’s Day.

International Women's Day 2026 Statement

Today, Women in the Media Sierra Leone joins the global community in recognizing the strength, resilience, and achievements of women and girls.

This year's national theme, "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls," highlights that equality requires more than discourse; it necessitates a concrete commitment to upholding women's rights, ensuring equitable justice, and implementing impactful initiatives to cultivate opportunities for all women and girls.

The global theme, "Give To Gain," further underscores a fundamental principle: investments in women and girls consistently result in more robust and inclusive societies.

As an organization, WIMSAL remains committed to empowering female journalists through mentorship, professional development, and advocacy, while simultaneously amplifying the narratives and experiences of women and girls across Sierra Leone.

We advocate for sustained mutual support, the cultivation of opportunities for future generations, and collaborative endeavors toward a future where every woman and girl can thrive.

Happy International Women's Day!

06/03/2026

The 2019-COVID outbreak and response were accompanied by a massive ‘infodemic’ - an over-abundance of information – some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it (WHO, 2020). This was exactly the case in Sierra Leone. Before the announcement of the country's first COVID-19 case, the information environment was already affected by extensive misinformation-driven information pollution.

Mis/disinformation on COVID-19 led to the death of an individual even before the first person died of COVID-19. The spread of information pollution has become alarming globally, posing a threat to national and global peace, economic stability, and health. Despite awareness of the spread of information pollution, there is a paucity of data and literature on it in the country. However, various efforts have been instituted to address the spread of information pollution.

Here is a study conducted by MRCG in 2020 to address the paucity of data and the limited literature on information pollution in Sierra Leone. This report contains
summaries of the most comprehensive studies on informational pollution mapping in the country. It focused on estimating the rate of information pollution, examining the channels used, and identifying the individuals or groups involved in its spread in the country.

Download the report here
https://mrcgonline.org/a-study-on-information-pollution-mapping-in-sierra-leone/

05/03/2026

04/03/2026

The second episode of AYV’s NaFPIM initiative entitled “Justice or Just Us” looks at the constitutional review process, with major insights from stakeholders in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone.

The constitutional review process in Sierra Leone is a long-standing, participatory effort to modernize and strengthen the 1991 Constitution to better reflect the country's evolving needs.

Recent efforts have advanced the drafting of a revised constitution, targeted for completion ahead of the 2028 elections, with key reforms on electoral dates, human rights protections, and women’s empowerment incorporated and broad public engagement emphasized.

The broadcast is supported by the National Fund for Public Interest Media (NaFPIM), through the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with funding from the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) and the United Kingdom.

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The constitutional review process in Sierra Leone is a long-standing, participatory effort to modernize and strengthen the 1991 Constitution to better reflec...

03/03/2026

Today, with support from the European Union, through the BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, MRCG presented the reform proposals for the review of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Act, 2010 and the draft public service broadcasting policy to the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah.

The presentation, came after series of engagements with various national stakeholders, including the Legislative and the Information Committees of Parliament, Civil Society Organizations, Political Parties, Electoral Management Bodies, the Tripartite Steering Committee, Board, Management and Staff of the SLBC, etc.

The Minister and his team made initial comments aimed at enhancing the review process, which includes further discussions and validation with national stakeholders.

Reforming the SLBC is a major component of the ongoing Media Empowerment for Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability (MEDIA) project implemented by the MRCG.

By embracing the recommendations - anchored on independence, inclusivity, accountability, and innovation - Sierra Leone can transform SLBC into a model public service broadcaster that amplifies citizens’ voices, safeguards democratic participation, and promotes national cohesion.

A reformed SLBC, governed by the people and accountable to the people, will stand as a symbol of Sierra Leone’s maturing democracy and its commitment to transparency, pluralism, and progress.

In this regard, the Ministry’s leadership in advancing this reform will reaffirm Sierra Leone’s pledge to build a modern, transparent, and citizen-driven public broadcasting system that truly serves the public interest.

02/03/2026

DID YOU KNOW THAT

The Tripartite Committee recommends aligning the definitions in Section 2 of the Cybersecurity and Crimes Act 2021, with the regional and international instruments, in particular, to review the definitions of: Cyber-terrorism, Cyberstalking, Cyberbullying, and Incendiary information.