By Michaella Faith Wright,

FREETOWN/BANJUL – From Freetown’s vibrant media landscape to Banjul’s growing newsroom spaces, the story of journalism in Sierra Leone and The Gambia is one of resilience, reform, and the relentless pursuit of truth despite mounting challenges.

Both West African nations have taken remarkable steps toward media freedom, yet journalists in each continue to grapple with economic struggles, legal bottlenecks, and political pressure that test the limits of press independence.

In Sierra Leone, media reforms in recent years have transformed a once-restricted space into a relatively freer environment. The repeal of the 1965 Public Order Act, which for decades criminalized libel, signaled a new era for press freedom. The country now sits at 56th position in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, an improvement hailed by both government and media advocates.

President Julius Maada Bio, while signing the Global Pledge on Media Freedom, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening democratic governance through an independent press.

“A free, unfettered, and professional press is a critical bulwark for good governance and democratic participation,” President Bio said.

However, despite this progress, journalists continue to battle poor working conditions and limited financial stability. Many media outlets struggle to survive without donor funding or political sponsorship, leading to what media practitioners describe as “media poverty.”

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the former , President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), said financial instability remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges.

“Media poverty is a silent crisis eroding the foundation of our democracy,” Nasralla said. “Most journalists in Sierra Leone work under very poor conditions, with no stable income or safety guarantees.”

Observers note that despite improvements in press freedom rankings, economic vulnerability has made many journalists susceptible to influence from powerful individuals and institutions. A senior editor in Freetown, who requested anonymity, admitted that such realities sometimes compromise editorial independence.

“You can’t talk about press freedom when journalists are hungry,” he said. “It’s easy to lose your voice when survival is at stake.”

While media training programs supported by organizations like SLAJ and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) are ongoing, the struggle for professional growth remains steep. Many journalists, particularly in rural areas, lack access to modern tools, digital platforms, and basic training.

Across the border, The Gambia tells a story of liberation and renewal. Since the fall of former president Yahya Jammeh, who ruled with an iron fist for over two decades, the country’s media has reemerged from the shadows of fear.

The Gambia currently ranks 58th globally in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index — a significant leap from the Jammeh years when repression was the norm. Journalists now operate in a freer environment, but many agree that the journey toward full independence is far from complete.

Isatou Keita, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), said while the government deserves credit for allowing greater freedom, there is still much to be done.

“We’ve made progress, but the environment is still fragile,” Keita said. “Economic hardship, outdated media laws, and lack of implementation of the Access to Information Act continue to hinder press development.”

Many Gambian journalists operate without proper contracts or insurance, and newsroom resources are limited. The financial instability has pushed some journalists to abandon the profession entirely.

“Most young reporters are now turning to social media content creation or public relations,” said Lamin Ceesay, a broadcast journalist in Banjul. “It’s hard to stay in journalism when you can’t make a living from it.”

The Gambia Press Union and the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) have initiated several training programs in collaboration with Freedom House, focusing on ethical reporting and fact-checking. Still, the slow pace of implementing key media laws and ensuring journalist safety remains a concern.

Afrobarometer’s latest survey revealed that while a majority of Gambians believe the media is free, many also support government intervention to curb “false news.” Media analysts warn that such attitudes could undermine the hard-won gains of press freedom.

“The problem is not just about laws,” said media analyst Fatou Camara. “It’s about the mindset. We need citizens who understand that a critical press is essential for democracy.”

When compared, Sierra Leone and The Gambia show similar trends — steady progress clouded by economic fragility. Sierra Leone’s government-led reforms have improved its international standing, while The Gambia’s post-dictatorship freedom remains vulnerable to regression.

Both countries share the same burdens: low pay, limited funding for independent media, weak implementation of information laws, and the constant threat of self-censorship.

Yet, in the midst of these obstacles, there are sparks of hope. Sierra Leone’s journalists are increasingly taking up investigative and developmental stories, while Gambian reporters are using digital tools to reach wider audiences and expose issues of governance, corruption, and human rights.

“When journalists cannot operate freely, the truth becomes the first casualty — and without truth, democracy cannot survive,” a senior Gambian editor told The Fatu Network during a recent press forum.

Both governments have made promises to strengthen media institutions, but journalists say words must now translate into tangible action. They call for the full implementation of access to information laws, better pay structures, and stronger protection mechanisms for journalists in the field.

Dr. Francis Lahai, a communications lecturer at Fourah Bay College, believes the sustainability of the media depends on political will and public awareness.

“A vibrant press is not a threat to government,” Lahai said. “It’s a partner in accountability. Both Sierra Leone and The Gambia must invest in media as a public good, not treat it as an enemy.”

Isatou Keita shares the same sentiment.

“We need citizens who value credible journalism and journalists who uphold integrity,” she said. “Only then can our media truly serve democracy.”

As the two countries continue their democratic journeys, the state of journalism remains a mirror of their broader governance realities — progress intertwined with struggle.

Both Sierra Leone and The Gambia have moved away from the days of overt repression, but the path ahead demands more commitment to media development, journalist welfare, and genuine freedom of expression.

The story of journalism in these two nations is one of hope and determination — a reminder that even in adversity, the pen continues to fight for truth, justice, and the voice of the people.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 31st October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)