Journalists Cannot Fund IMC’s Lifestyle Says Umaru Fofana …On 150% Increase Annual Renewal Fee

It’s apparent that Sierra Leone’s Independent Media Commission (IMC) are out of touch with the reality of the country’s print media.
There’s an unprecedented drop in sales and advertising. Not to mention the ever-increasing cost of production. And social media is also wreaking havoc on the industry. Essentially, the country’s newspapers are tinkering on the brink of collapse.
It is therefore shocking that the regulator can increase annual renewal fee by 150%. They do little to nothing to support the industry as the Act says they should, rather they’re becoming an albatross around our neck.
They should not expect us to fund their unnecessarily expensive running cost or even lifestyle. Rather they should cut their coat according to their size.
And they’re state-funded! If the state funding isn’t forthcoming, that’s not our business. You’ve been fining those who’ve been breaching the media code.
The truth is that we cannot afford it – especially those of us who resist political control of our editorial and refuse to serve as their ventriloquists. Paying salaries has never been as difficult. Rent is breaking our neck. Our survival has become a gamble. Please rethink and revert to the old fee, IMC.
The concern as expressed by Umaru Fofana, is one which many journalists have complained about making reference to the fact that the increase was made by the IMC without any consultation or dialogue with the media.