Public interest media are vital to open, just societies. They provide citizens with reliable news and information, hold the powerful to account, provide a platform for debate and are essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
But in resource-poor settings, media cannot survive on commercial revenue alone. Public subsidies, tax breaks, a more encouraging environment for investors and greater transparency in government advertising distribution can all help ensure the survival of media in the public interest.
In April 2022 with the support of 大象传媒 Media Action through PRIMED, a national conference brought together government, media organisations, industry leaders and other stakeholders, to explore the options and create a national action plan to strengthen public interest media in the country.
Sierra Leone's National Media Viability and Investment Conference
When: 21-22 April
Keynote speaker: Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio
Where: Freetown International Conference Centre (Bintumani), and online
Watch Day 1 on 大象传媒 Media Action Sierra Leone's (leads to third party site)
Watch Day 2 on 大象传媒 Media Action Sierra Leone's (leads to third party site)
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. But ensuring media remain viable requires a mix of systemic reform that addresses policies, laws and regulations; examining funding models that sustain public interest media without state control or co-option by private or political interests; organisational development, from optimising advertising to developing new ways to generate revenue; and ensuring media houses are connecting with audiences and responding to their needs with engaging, timely and trustworthy content.
The PRIMED (Protecting Independent Media for Effective Development) consortium, led by 大象传媒 Media Action, has been instrumental in driving reforms for the country鈥檚 regulatory authority. This national consultation has been an important next step.
Our global speakers
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A view from the co-founder and Acting Head of the International Fund for Public Interest Media
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Dr Francis Sowa, Consultant and Lecturer, University of Sierra Leone Private sector investment and public sector support for the media in Sierra Leone: A binding constraints analysis
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Public funding for private media: examples from the MENA region
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The advertising industry in Sierra Leone: an informed perspective
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The search for sustainable local media: tools and models
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Government and industry-led initiatives to support the development of the media market in Kenya
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The political economy of the media in Sierra Leone and the potential for private sector investment
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Indirect and direct subsidies for media: the European experience
Full-length studies
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Public funding for private media in the Middle East and North Africa Full-length report by Sarah Zaarour
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The advertising industry in Sierra Leone: A critical and comprehensive analysis Full-length report by Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai
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The political economy of the media in Sierra Leone and the potential for private-sector investment Full-length report by Ibrahim Bangura, PhD
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Government and industry-led initiatives to support the development of the media market: Case for Kenya Full-length report by Haron Mwangi, PhD
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Indirect and direct subsidies for media: The European experience Full-length report by Milan F. 沤ivkovi膰 and Karolina Leakovi膰
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The search for sustainable local media: Tools and models Full-length report by Franz Kruger, PhD
PRIMED is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Our projects in Sierra Leone
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Empowering adolescent girls in Sierra Leone
There are 32,500 girls in Sierra Leone aged 13-17 who are not in school. Our project called Every Adolescent Girl Empowered and Resilient (EAGER) aims to aid in their transition to education, training or employment and inspire hope for their future. -
Protecting independent media for effective development
We are working with media support organisations and local partners to find out what works in supporting public interest media in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Bangladesh. -
Protecting pregnant women and children from malaria in Sierra Leone
Using insight from our response to the Ebola outbreak we're building awareness about malaria for those most at risk, using radio, TV, social media and community outreach. -
Using radio and television to inspire young people in Sierra Leone
Mi Stori (My Story) aims to inspire young people in Sierra Leone to be active, positive participants in their community through an interactive radio show and mini-documentaries championing positive role models.
