The Head of the European Union Election Observation Mission in Sierra Leone, Evin Incir, expressed concern about the media poverty witnessed during their observation of the 2023 elections in the country. Incir highlighted that many community radio stations sold their prime time slots to political parties or openly supported either the APC or SLPP, which goes against the principles of professional journalism. This compromised the impartiality of the news and misled voters who relied on local radio as their main source of information.
Despite this, Incir also acknowledged the presence of established media outlets that provided balanced coverage of the election. However, she expressed regret that the planned national Presidential debate did not take place, as it would have provided an important platform for candidates to present their policies and engage with voters.
The observation mission’s preliminary report, launched on June 26th at the Radisson Blu hotel, highlighted the importance of a free and fair media environment in ensuring transparent and credible elections. Incir’s remarks underscore the need for media organizations to uphold professional standards and avoid partisan bias, while also emphasizing the significance of platforms for open and inclusive political debates.
