On August 20, 2024, Manuel Müller, the European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, paid a farewell visit to the Independent Media Commission (IMC) at its headquarters on Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown.

Ambassador Müller was warmly welcomed by IMC Chairman Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa, along with other Commissioners and staff members. The visit began with Chairman Kapuwa delivering a welcome address, followed by the Executive Secretary, Khalil Kallon, who introduced the Commissioners and staff.

In his speech, Ambassador Müller emphasized his commitment to press freedom, noting his close collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and other media practitioners. He praised the successful Press Freedom Day held in 2022, which was sponsored by the EU, and stressed the importance of continued cooperation among journalists. He also reflected on the EU’s recent tour across the country to promote press freedom and media inclusivity.

Ambassador Müller shared insights from his tour, which deepened his understanding of media initiatives in Sierra Leone. He highlighted that the tour allowed media practitioners, including bloggers and social media journalists, to connect more closely with different regions of the country.

The Ambassador described his visit to the IMC as both a farewell and an opportunity to understand the challenges facing the media sector and the Commission’s future plans for media development.

In response, IMC Chairman Kapuwa outlined several challenges, including difficulties in monitoring media content and issues with media institutions failing to renew their registrations. He discussed the need for merging media entities, improving training for community radio station managers, and enhancing governance structures within community radios. Kapuwa also mentioned the ongoing review of the IMC Act 2020, which aims to incorporate new media into the regulatory framework.

Executive Secretary Khalil Kallon emphasized the critical role of community radios in Sierra Leone’s democratic process and accountability. He expressed concern over the takeover of community radios by individuals, leading to a loss of community ownership. Kallon revealed that the IMC has developed a framework to strengthen governance and management structures for community radios and advocated for sustainable solutions, such as solar panels, to address electricity issues. He also thanked the EU for its support in monitoring media coverage during the recent elections.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Müller reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting community radios and promised that the EU would address these issues early next year. He also shared his experiences with social media and emphasized the need to adapt to the evolving media landscape.

The visit concluded with Ambassador Müller expressing his appreciation for the IMC’s support and his hope to return to Sierra Leone in the future.