By Lemuella Tarawallie
For more than two decades, the Sierra Leone Reporters’ Union (SLRU) lay dormant, a sleeping giant resting under the weight of outdated structures, neglected welfare systems, and a rapidly evolving media landscape.
But on the dusty stretch of the Magburaka Highway, inside the vibrant halls of the Garden State Enterprise, that giant opened its eyes again. And when it rose, it shook Sierra Leone’s media community to its core.
Under the theme “The New Constitution: A Blueprint for Reporters’ Welfare,” SLRU convened its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 21 years. That was an extraordinary rebirth marked by passion, urgency, and a collective hunger for reform. Reporters, editors, ex-officios, senior media practitioners, and leaders from across the nation converged, united by a single purpose: to rewrite the document that governs the lives, safety, and dignity of Sierra Leone’s frontline storytellers. The Constitution promises to strengthen the rights and dignity of reporters
“This is a defining moment,” declared Dr Francis Sowa Esq., National Coordinator of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG). His voice, steady yet charged with purpose, echoed through the conference hall.
“As a nation reviews rights, governance and institutional reforms, the welfare of those who tell the nation’s story must be front and center.” He delivered a sobering but necessary truth, many journalists in Sierra Leone were working without contracts, without fair pay, and without social protection. “Nearly half earn below the national minimum wage. Over 50% have no NASSIT contributions. Many have never received a formal salary in their entire career”, he disclosed.
“Freedom alone is not enough,” Dr Francis Sowa Esq emphasized. “The journalist must not only be free, they must be protected, respected and supported”. In that moment, the tone for the AGM was set. This was not just a meeting. It was a reckoning.
The SLRU President, Yeanor Kabia who is the first woman ever to lead the union, delivered a speech that merged strength with sincerity. Her words carried the weight of both struggle and triumph.
“I am not standing here as a woman trying to prove herself,” she said. “I am standing as a leader committed to serve… as a journalist determined to uplift this union… and as a sister ready to protect, support and elevate every reporter in Sierra Leone.”
She spoke of rebuilding the membership database, securing legal documentation, strengthening partnerships, and reviving union activities nationwide.
Her achievements were not abstract; they were measurable, visible, and transformative. “Let this be the beginning of a union we can all be proud of,” she concluded.
The leadership of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) arrived not just as observers but as pillars of solidarity. President Alhaji Manika Kamara reminded the union of its pioneering legacy.
“For the first time in decades, SLRU is fully revived,” he said with deep pride. “This is your moment and it is long overdue.” He reaffirmed SLAJ’s commitment to ensuring no journalist was taken to CID for doing their job and promised continued engagement with security agencies and government institutions.
“You are frontline patriots,” he said. “Your welfare must reflect your value.”
Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) also took center stage, represented by its president Mrs. Eastina Taylor-Tucker, whose energy electrified the room. “If you still don’t believe women are better leaders,” she declared, “go and look at SLRU!”
Her call for gender equity, safety, and opportunity for female reporters drew heavy applause, especially in a sector where women have historically been sidelined.
And then came the powerful voice of SLAJ’s Electoral Chief Commissioner, Zainab Iyamide Joaque, who described the new Constitution as “a blueprint for dignity, professionalism, and protection.”
“This Constitution is more than just rules and guidelines. It is a blueprint for the welfare, professional growth, and protection of reporters… This Constitution promises to strengthen the rights and dignity of reporters…,” she said.
The keynote speaker, Kelvin Lewis who is the Managing Editor of the Awoko Newspaper and former SLAJ president, brought the hall to a thoughtful stillness.
“This job is not about fame or money,” he said softly, “but about being true to the profession.” He urged reporters to rediscover storytelling, the heartbeat of journalism. “Write in a way that transports me from my chair to the scene you covered,” he pleaded. “Leave politics to politicians. Be adventurous. Be good journalists.”