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A newly released documentary report has exposed critical operational failures at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), revealing a historic institution severely hampered by antiquated equipment, chronic administrative neglect, and poverty-level wages.
The report, featuring video footage of the broadcaster’s Freetown headquarters, paints a stark picture of West Africa’s first English-language radio broadcaster struggling to maintain basic journalistic standards amid profound decay.
According to the documentary, the state broadcaster continues to rely on facilities and equipment that are up to a half-century old. The internal infrastructure resembles an “electronic workshop” with exposed cables, while core broadcasting operations face daily technical hurdles:
The newsroom, described as the backbone of the institution, currently has only two functional computers to serve a staff of more than 20 reporters.
As recently as February 2026, the station has battled with a lack of basic printer ink, compromising the legibility of news scripts.
In an era of digital media, SLBC presenters are forced to rely entirely on paper scripts due to a faulty teleprompter and a lack of modern tablets. Furthermore, faulty Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units in the editing rooms mean a single power grid failure can wipe out countless hours of broadcast preparation.
The camera unit operates with just seven official cameras, which reportedly suffer from limited battery capacities, lack lapel microphones, and have no essential support equipment.
The report notes that bureaucratic delays in request approvals have effectively crippled the engineering unit’s ability to repair these pervasive faults. Additionally, the broadcaster’s entire fleet of official vehicles is grounded due to mechanical issues ranging from starter problems to broken wheel shafts and engine control units.
The documentary emphasizes that the physical deterioration of the station mirrors the dire conditions of its workforce. Despite the rising cost of living, the report states that some SLBC staff members take home between 700 and 800 Leones—less than $50 USD a month—while the majority earn barely $100 monthly.
Employees who have dedicated 20 to 30 years to the corporation reportedly face stagnant careers due to the absence of an official organogram for promotions and no credible system for improving staff welfare.
Founded in 1934 as the West African Radio Diffusion (and known early on as the Freetown Rediffusion Service), the SLBC holds a prestigious place in African media history.
However, the latest footage suggests that without immediate investment and sweeping administrative reforms, the institution will continue to fail in meeting its audience’s expectations.
