Sierra Leone’s media landscape is under growing pressure, with economic challenges and political influence undermining journalistic independence, according to the 2025 Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The country ranks 56th globally, maintaining a mid-tier position but reflecting broader declines across the African continent.
While Sierra Leone’s constitution guarantees freedom of the press and the 2020 repeal of criminal libel laws marked a major reform milestone under President Julius Maada Bio, the report notes that violations of press freedom have increased since his reelection in 2023. Journalists remain vulnerable to harassment, arbitrary arrests, and violence, particularly around elections.
The country’s media sector is diverse, with more than 500 registered outlets, including over 200 radio stations and several newspapers and TV channels. However, many operate inconsistently due to financial constraints. Radio remains the most widely consumed medium, especially in rural communities, while most television content is limited to urban centers.
Although Sierra Leonean law prohibits politicians from owning broadcast outlets, RSF notes that many media organisations remain vulnerable to indirect political influence. Journalists are often underpaid, poorly equipped, and financially dependent on political actors or advertising tied to government and corporate budgets. This creates a fertile ground for editorial compromise.
Regulation of the sector is overseen by the Independent Media Commission (IMC), which operates without direct political interference. Media laws and policies are typically developed through consultation with stakeholders, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). However, the state provides financial support only to SLAJ, not to independent media outlets, leaving many struggling to survive in a limited advertising market.
The report also highlights increasing challenges from the digital information space. Disinformation, political propaganda, and hate speech are spreading rapidly on social media, contributing to a deteriorating information environment.
Across Africa, RSF’s 2025 Index paints a gray picture. More than 80% of African countries saw their scores decline, with some, like Nigeria and Cameroon, experiencing growing media ownership consolidation and state pressure. In conflict zones such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Sudan, media outlets have been shuttered, staff displaced, and journalists threatened or conscripted.
Despite these regional setbacks, countries like South Africa, Namibia, and Cape Verde continue to serve as positive examples, ranking among the highest in Africa. But for Sierra Leone, RSF warns that without increased financial independence for media houses and greater protections for journalists, press freedom may continue to erode.
