Bio's Media Funding Not For Endorsements
Myk Berewa, Director of Communications at the Office of the President, has defended the Bio administration's financial support to media institutions, saying more than Le6.8 billion provided through the media subvention since 2018 was not intended to secure journalists' loyalty or political endorsements. Berewa explained that the funding was provided to alleviate media poverty and support media operations, advocacy and journalists' safety.
This statement appears to address the ongoing debate regarding media independence versus government financial support, examining them as mechanisms of media control.
“We don’t do conners!” he declared, insisting that government support for the media should not be interpreted as an attempt to obtain favourable coverage or political backing.
He also noted that Sierra Leone has licensed more than 530 media institutions since 2018—including magazines, newspapers, radio, television stations, and digital media services—reflecting President Julius Maada Bio's belief that “a free, pluralistic press supports democratic stability.”
His remarks come amid public debate over political perceptions of media independence, particularly following an exchange between SLPP National Publicity Secretary Moses Sellu Mambu and Liberty TV presenters Khadija Bangura and Mabel Kabba.
During an appearance on Liberty TV's Online Breakfast Show, Bangura challenged Mambu over comments that Liberty, Truth Media are perceived by some members of the public as an APC-aligned platform. Mambu responded that the claim was an opinion he had heard from people in public spaces, not a position he personally believed, stating,
“I told you opinion is out there in the streets that Liberty and Truth Media are on an APC agenda. Do Mambu believe it? No.”
Mambu also defended his relationship with the media institution, arguing that he had consistently contributed to its growth through his participation in its programmes.
The controversy extended beyond the exchange after another media house AYV's journalist Victor Jones lodged a complaint with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) over other remarks made by Mambu during the October 19 broadcast, including allegations involving Jones and fellow journalist Thomas Dixon. In a statement issued on October 28, SLAJ said its records contained no evidence of the alleged report involving the two journalists being false as suggested by Mambu.
Although Berewa's post does not specifically mention Mambu, Bangura or the Liberty TV controversy, his comments on government funding and media loyalty come amid the ongoing debate over political perceptions of independent media.
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