SLAJ, IMC Launch First-Ever National Media Awards 2025/26

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Independent Media Commission (IMC) have officially announced the joint launch of the maiden SLAJ/IMC Annual National Media Awards 2025/26, a landmark initiative aimed at celebrating excellence in journalism and promoting professionalism within Sierra Leone’s media landscape.

According to a press release dated 2nd March 2026, the awards scheme is designed to recognise and honour outstanding newspaper articles, radio reports, television broadcasts and online publications that have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the media sector during the year under review.

The organisers described the awards as a major step toward strengthening media self-regulation and enhancing ethical journalism across the country. They emphasised that the initiative underscores the vital role of the press in national development and acknowledges the transformative impact of responsible journalism on society.

The prestigious awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 13th June 2026 at the UNIMAK Hall in Makeni City, Bombali District, starting promptly at 7:00 PM.

A total of sixteen award categories have been revealed, including the Sam Metzger Award for Best Political Reporting, Outstanding Reporting on Gender Issues, Best Investigative Reporting (Olu Awoonor Gordon Award), Outstanding Reporting on Corruption, and the UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year. Other categories cover specialized areas such as arts, culture, sports, health, agriculture, education, human rights, and parliamentary reporting.

The awards are open to all registered, practicing, and paid-up members of SLAJ. Organisers noted that submissions will be cross-checked against SLAJ’s updated membership list to ensure eligibility.

Entries must have been published or aired between 1st January 2025 and 31st December 2025. Eligible works include newspaper and magazine articles, online publications, as well as radio and television programmes. All submissions must be original.

Participants are required to submit their entries electronically via email to slajimemediaawards2025@gmail.com no later than 5:00 PM on 31st March 2026.

Each submission must clearly state the entrant’s name, contact details (phone number and email address), media outlet, date of publication or broadcast, and the specific award category being entered. The organisers warned that incomplete or improperly labelled submissions will be disqualified.

An independent panel of judges will assess all entries and forward their findings to the SLAJ/IMC Awards Committee for final consideration.

The organisers are also inviting corporate bodies, institutions and individuals to sponsor award categories or support the overall event. Interested sponsors may contact the Awards Committee via phone at +232 76 814217 or +232 76695950, or by email at slajimemediaawards2025@gmail.com.

Banking details for sponsorship contributions have been provided as Guaranty Trust Bank Sierra Leone, Wilberforce Street, Freetown, Account No. 3125345110, BBAN No. 5201-0000-2439-4246.