The Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat has held a meeting with the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to review progress in implementing media sector reforms under the Tripartite Recommendations.
The engagement took place on 6 March 2026 at the IMC office and formed part of the Secretariat’s ongoing consultations with key institutions responsible for implementing the Tripartite Recommendations.
Opening the meeting, the Coordinator of the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat, Mr. Thomas Ngolo Katta, outlined the purpose of the engagement and highlighted the importance of monitoring the status of Recommendation 76 of the Tripartite Report. The recommendation calls for a review of the code of conduct for media professionals and the regulatory framework guiding media practice in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Katta invited the Secretariat’s Public Sector Expert, Mr. Christopher Teh, to outline the thematic areas for discussion. Mr. Teh said the meeting would focus on the institution’s assessment of the recommendation, its response to the ongoing Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025, and progress made in implementing recommendations arising from the Management and Functional Review conducted by the Public Sector Reform Unit.
The discussions also examined the development of institutional policies and regulations, the outcomes of regional consultations on proposed amendments to the Independent Media Commission Act, and the current status of implementation of Recommendation 76.
Responding to the issues raised, the IMC Chairman, Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa Esq, said the Commission had taken concrete steps to advance the recommendation. He noted that the IMC had conducted regional consultations across the country, including in the Western Area, Eastern, Southern, Northern and North-West regions.
According to Mr. Kapuwa, the consultations brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the media, civil society organisations, political parties, election management bodies and security institutions. The discussions were aimed at gathering informed views to support the ongoing amendment of the Independent Media Commission Act.
He said the proposed reforms are expected to strengthen the institutional framework of the Commission, including measures to improve transparency in the appointment of the IMC Chairman and enhance the Commission’s authority to enforce the media code of conduct.
Mr. Kapuwa also noted that discussions during the consultations addressed emerging challenges within the media landscape, including the role of social media in the spread of hate speech during elections and whether existing regulatory measures are sufficient to address such issues.
He added that the report from the regional consultations is currently being finalised and will be submitted to the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for onward transmission to the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice before being presented to Parliament.
The IMC Chairman commended the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat for its continued engagement with institutions responsible for implementing the Tripartite Recommendations and acknowledged the importance of sustained collaboration in advancing the reform process.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Thomas Ngolo Katta encouraged continued cooperation between the Secretariat and the Commission and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to supporting institutions in the effective implementation of the Tripartite Recommendations as part of the broader national reform programme.
