Event Summary
On 20 August 2025, Truth Media resumed radio broadcasting and released its first newspaper edition after the Government of Sierra Leone reissued its license and frequency. This reversal followed intense and sustained advocacy by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), which engaged government agencies to uphold media freedom and democratic principles. The reissuance marks a significant win for civil society, demonstrating the power of collective pressure in defending the right to free expression. SLAJ’s intervention was widely supported by media stakeholders and human rights defenders, who viewed the initial license withdrawal—made abruptly on the eve of Truth Media’s launch in July 2025—as a troubling sign.
While Truth Media is now operational, concerns remain. G8 Media Group, despite meeting all licensing requirements, continues to await approval. However, the reissuing of Trust Media license demonstrates signs of a responsive shift in government behavior under public and institutional advocacy. It reflects progress in the protection of media freedom and signals the potential for constructive engagement between civil society and state institutions.