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The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Independent Media Commission (IMC) have officially announced the joint launch of the maiden SLAJ/IMC Annual National Media Awards 2025/26, a new initiative designed to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to journalism across the country.
According to a joint press release issued on March 2, 2026, the awards aim to celebrate excellence in newspaper articles, radio reports, television broadcasts, and online publications that have significantly advanced the media landscape during the review period. The initiative underscores the commitment of both institutions to media self-regulation and the promotion of professionalism and ethical standards in Sierra Leonean journalism.
“This prestigious event underscores SLAJ/IMC’s commitment to media self-regulation and serves as a catalyst for fostering professionalism and ethical journalism in Sierra Leone,” the statement read. “The awards celebrate the invaluable role of journalism in national development and the transformative impact of the media on society.”
The inaugural awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 13, 2026, at the UNIMAK Hall in Makeni City, Bombali District, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Award Categories
The competition features 16 distinct award categories recognizing excellence across various beats and reporting styles:
- Sam Metzger Award for Best Political Reporting
- Outstanding Reporting on Gender Issues
- Outstanding Economic Reporting
- Outstanding Court Reporting
- Outstanding Health Reporting
- Outstanding Reporting on Arts, Culture, and Tourism
- Outstanding Sports Reporting
- Olu Awoonor Gordon Award for Best Investigative Reporting
- Outstanding Reporting on the Environment
- Outstanding Reporting on Human Rights
- Outstanding Reporting on Agriculture
- Outstanding Reporting on Education
- Outstanding Feature Story
- Outstanding Reporting on Corruption
- Best Reporting on Parliament
- UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year
Eligibility and Submission Guidelines
The awards are open to all registered, practicing, and paid-up members of SLAJ. Entries will be cross-verified against the association’s updated membership list to confirm eligibility.
All submissions must be sent electronically via email to [email protected] by the deadline of March 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Entries must consist of newspaper or magazine articles, online publications, radio programs, or television broadcasts that were originally published or aired between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. All submissions must be original work.
Each entry must include the following information:
- Name of the journalist
- Contact information (phone number and email address)
- Media outlet where the work was published or aired
- Date of publication or broadcast
- Award category being entered
Organizers emphasized that submissions must be clearly labeled, warning that incomplete or mislabeled entries will be disqualified.
Judging and Sponsorship
A panel of independent judges will review all entries and submit their findings to the SLAJ/IMC Awards Committee for final consideration.
Organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring an award category or the overall event are invited to contact the awards committee at +232 76 814217 or +232 76695950, or via email at [email protected].
