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Veteran journalist, who currently serves as the President of Sierra Leone Reporters’ Union, Yeanor Kabia has been named the 2025/26 Journalist of the Year by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), capping off an impressive night in which he also secured the Outstanding Investigative Reporting Award.
Kabia received the prestigious honours during the IMC/SLAJ Media Awards Dinner and Awards Night held on June 13, 2026, at the Wusum Hotel in Makeni.
The event marked the climax of SLAJ’s 55th Annual General Meeting and brought together journalists, media stakeholders, development partners, and government representatives to celebrate excellence in the profession.
Presenting the Journalist of the Year Award, Nyanda Tarawalie, Head of Human Resources, Organisational Development and Administration at ActionAid Sierra Leone, congratulated Kabia on his achievements and commended journalists who continue to uphold professionalism and accountability in the media sector.
The Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa Esq., said the annual awards ceremony is designed to reward excellence, recognise impactful journalism, and promote professionalism across Sierra Leone’s media landscape.
Speaking at the event, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara described the 2025/26 awards ceremony as a landmark occasion, noting that it was the maiden edition of the IMC/SLAJ Media Awards following resolutions adopted in Bo in 2024.
Kamara praised ActionAid Sierra Leone and other partners for their support, stating that their sponsorship significantly eased the challenges previously associated with organising the awards programme. “Their sponsorship made it easy for us this time around,” Kamara said.
Representing ActionAid Sierra Leone, Tarawalie reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting media development and strengthening platforms that amplify voices advocating for social change and justice.
She also announced the introduction of the Outstanding Social Justice Reporting Award, which will be sponsored by ActionAid Sierra Leone beginning with the 2026/27 IMC/SLAJ Media Awards.
The recognition of Yeanor Kabia as Journalist of the Year and Outstanding Investigative Reporter notably reflects his contribution to journalism and highlights the growing importance of quality, impactful reporting in advancing transparency, accountability, and national development.
