Friday 5th December 2025
Your Excellency, permit me first to express appreciation, on behalf of the entire media fraternity, for this annual engagement that brings the Presidency and the media community together in a relaxed but meaningful atmosphere. It symbolises an important principle: dialogue strengthens democracy, and openness deepens trust.
This is my first Presidential Media Cocktail as President of SLAJ, and I stand here humbled by the responsibility placed on me by my colleagues across the country. I also stand here deeply conscious of the journey we have travelled; because for the past six years, I served under the previous administration of SLAJ led by Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, “De Monk,” whose leadership style emphasised constructive engagement, principled advocacy, and unwavering independence.
I intend not only to continue that approach but to strengthen and expand it.
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP AND EMPOWERING MEDIA
Your Excellency, the theme for this year’s cocktail: “Strengthening Partnership and Empowering Media”, is timely and fully aligned with the direction in which I intend to lead SLAJ.
For us in the media, partnership does not mean silence.
It does not mean compromise on truth. It means working collaboratively, speaking honestly, and holding government and institutions accountable in a responsible manner while maintaining mutual respect.
The media is not an opponent of the State, nor an extension of it. They are partners in development; independent partners whose role is to inform, to educate, to question, and to amplify the responsible voices of citizens. The role of SLAJ is to stand by this media, protect and defend it, strengthen and promote it, and help to make it viable. This we can achieve only through partnerships, and building as many bridges as possible and necessary.
When we empower our media, our democracy will become more stable; governance will become more responsive, and national unity will become more meaningful.
BUILDING ON PAST GAINS THROUGH THE A.C.T.I.O.N MANIFESTO
Your Excellency, I came into this office with a clear plan: the ACTION Manifesto; which outlines the priorities for this new administration of SLAJ. ACTION stands for:
A – Accountability and Professionalism
C – Capacity Building and Safety of Journalists
T – Transparency and Good Governance in SLAJ
I – Innovation, Digital Transformation & Media Viability
O – Open Collaboration with Government, Partners & Citizens
N – National Cohesion and Ethical Journalism
Every element of this agenda requires partnership; particularly with your government, state institutions, and our development partners.
We will continue to work with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the IMC, the RAIC, NaTCA, the Human Rights Commission, the Sierra Leone Police, and other agencies to promote responsible journalism, protect media freedom, and improve working conditions for journalists across the country.
We will also continue to push for legal reforms in the post-Criminal Libel era: the cyber law, the counter terrorism law, and our proposed Chapter 12 to have constitutional guarantees for press freedom and freedom of expression; while advocating for sustainable media financing, institutional strengthening, and modernised communication policies that reflect today’s digital realities.
A NEW PHASE, BUT THE SAME PRINCIPLES
Your Excellency, under my predecessor’s leadership, we saw unprecedented cooperation between SLAJ and the State, while also maintaining our independence.
We debated when necessary.
We disagreed when required.
But we always engaged constructively.
That model worked.
And it will continue under my leadership.
My commitment is simple:
SLAJ will support, but SLAJ will also stand firm when it must.
We will partner, but we will not be compromised.
We will collaborate, but never at the expense of the public interest.
A CALL FOR MUTUAL SUPPORT
Tonight, let this cocktail be more than a ceremonial gathering.
Let it be a renewal of commitment, from both sides, to continue fostering an environment where journalists can work safely, professionally, and without fear; and where government continues to see the media not as a threat, but as an essential stakeholder in national development.
We ask for your continued support in improving journalists’ welfare, enhancing access to information, and creating opportunities for training, technology, and innovation in our newsrooms.
Your Excellency, a media that is empowered, ethical, and independent is an asset to your administration and to Sierra Leone.
Finally, Your Excellency:
As we end this year and look ahead to another, I extend warm greetings to you, Your Excellency, and your government, and to all our partners here tonight.
May our collaboration continue to be anchored on respect, truth, and a shared desire to see Sierra Leone move forward.
On behalf of SLAJ and the entire media industry, Merry Christmas and New Year 2026 in advance
