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President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has announced a significant increase in government funding for the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), raising the budgetary support to 2.5 billion old leones by 2025.
This pledge was revealed during the Presidential Media Cocktail held at the Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown on Monday evening.
In his address to members of the press, President Bio reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering press freedom and supporting journalism as a cornerstone of democracy. The promised budget increase aligns with his election campaign promise to strengthen the media sector.
“We recognize the vital role journalists play in nation-building and democracy,” President Bio stated. “This government is committed to creating an enabling environment for a free and vibrant press.”
The announcement marks a continuation of the administration’s efforts to empower SLAJ, following previous allocations aimed at improving media infrastructure and capacity building for journalists across the country.
SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla expressed gratitude for the increased funding and highlighted the association’s ongoing initiatives to improve professionalism and ethical standards in journalism. “This is a welcome development that will enable us to expand our training programs, advocacy efforts, and support for journalists,” Nasralla said.
The event was attended by government officials, media practitioners, and representatives from civil society organizations, who lauded the move as a step toward enhancing press freedom and accountability in Sierra Leone.
