By Sheku Putka Kamara

Suffice to say that hardly would there be quality agenda setting in situations where media poverty is unquestionable. In Sierra Leone for example, it appears that there is now a pattern of and for media. For most if not all people, the media is like now the ‘go to area’ to extricate people from the shackles of economic hurdles, but even with that, the irregularities that come with advertising and the inconsistent business models have caused a major blow. Even more worrisome is the indirect acceptance of such a trajectory. How do we navigate such unwelcoming situations and how do we change and make things appear for the better? It is time for media institutions in Sierra Leone to step up, man up and rise up. To do this, they have to grow up and own up, among other things! 

I am on record to have affirmed that before you make an attempt to establish any media entity, ensure to have reasonable income. You do not want to be dependent on anybody. The adage ‘you cannot bite the finer that feeds you’ is self-explanatory.

In this day and age, politicians and businesses are looking forward to making use of such opportunities. So, if you are in the media business and you do not have a barking, the obvious realities may just hit the ground in no time.

Theoretically, we always speak of the media’s watch dog role. However, some high level of integrity is needed to be able to fully achieve this role.  How do we fit in and help ourselves. As some who have been in media and communication from 2004 to date, I can affirm, confirm and restate that no matter what, you need your own independent resources if  you want to maintain some level in the field.

You cannot be dependent on advertisements all through. In fact today, it is even more troubling that we have media institutions in print (newspaper) that will never publish news if the adverts are not readily available. What does that tell you?

Let me be very clearer, this is not one of those a thousand and over articles of Sheku Putka Kamara. Today, I have just managed to go straight to the point. The media needs such honest perspectives. In problem solving, you cannot solve anything if you do not know the causes. These things are not rocket sciences. Cheers and let me hold it here for today.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 18th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)