Myk Berewa Defends Le6.8 Billion Media Subvention
Salamatu Y. Kamara State House Director of Communications, Myk Berewa, has pushed back against claims that government support for the media is meant to buy loyalty, insisting the subvention aims to alleviate poverty in the sector and protect journalists.
In a Facebook post, Berewa wrote: “We SLPP don’t do conners! Since 2018, President Bio has provided over Le6.8 BILLION through the media subvention to alleviate media poverty, support media operations, advocacy, and journalists’ safety — not to secure their loyalty or endorsements.”
The statement comes amid renewed public debate over the relationship between the government and the media, with critics accusing the Bio administration of using state resources to influence coverage, while supporters argue the subvention is a landmark investment in press freedom.
According to the statement, the over Le6.8 billion disbursed since 2018 has been directed to three key areas:
Alleviating media poverty — helping struggling media houses stay afloat in a difficult advertising market
Supporting media operations and advocacy — sustaining day-to-day journalism and press freedom advocacy
Journalists’ safety — supporting the welfare and protection of journalists in the line of duty.