Official Joint Launch of the Maiden SLAJ/IMC National Media Awards 2025/26

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The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Independent Media

Commission (IMC) of Sierra Leone are delighted to announce the joint launch of the maiden SLAJ/IMC Annual National Media Awards 2025/26, aimed at celebrating excellence in journalism and media practice in Sierra Leone.

The SLAJ/IMC National Media Awards recognise and honor exceptional newspaper articles, radio reports, television broadcasts, and online publications that have significantly contributed to the growth and progress of the media landscape during the year under review.

This prestigious event underscores SLAJ/IMC’s commitment to media self-regulation and serves as a catalyst for fostering professionalism and ethical journalism in Sierra Leone. The awards celebrate the invaluable role of journalism in national development and the transformative impact of the media on society.

The SLAJ/IMC Annual National Media Awards 2025/26 will be held on 13th June 2026, at the UNIMAK Hall, Makeni City, Bombali District, starting promptly at 7:00 PM.

 

AWARD CATEGORIES 2024

 

1. Sam Metzger Award for Best Political Reporting
2. Outstanding Reporting on Gender Issues
3. Outstanding Economic Reporting
4. Outstanding Court Reporting
5. Outstanding Health Reporting
6. Outstanding Reporting on Arts, Culture, and Tourism
7. Outstanding Sports Reporting
8. Olu Awoonor Gordon Award for Best Investigative Reporting
9. Outstanding Reporting on the Environment
10. Outstanding Reporting on Human Rights
11. Outstanding Reporting on Agriculture
12. Outstanding Reporting on Education
13. Outstanding Feature Story
14. Outstanding Reporting on Corruption
15. Best Reporting on Parliament
16. UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year

ELIGIBILITY

 

The SLAJ/IMC National Media Awards 2025/26 is open to all registered, practicing, and paid-up members of SLAJ.

 

Submissions will be cross-verified with SLAJ’s updated membership list.

 

HOW TO ENTER

• Submission Method: All entries must be submitted electronically via email to

slajimcmediaawards2025@gmail.com.

 

• Deadline: Submissions must be received by 5:00 PM on the 31st of March 2026.

 

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

• Entries must include newspaper or magazine articles, online publications, radio, or TV

programs published or aired between 1st January 2025 and 31st December 2025.

 

• All entries must be original.
• Submissions must include the following details:

o Name

o Contact information (phone number, email address)

o Media outlet (where the work was published or aired)

o Date of publication or broadcast

o Award category

 

Note: Submissions must be clearly labeled. Incomplete or mislabeled entries will be disqualified.

 

JUDGING PROCESS

A panel of independent judges will review all entries and submit their findings to the SLAJ/IMC

Awards Committee for final consideration.

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

To sponsor an award category or the overall event, please contact us at:

Phone: +232 76 814217 / +232 76695950

Email: slajimcmediaawards2025@gmail.com

 

Signed:

Alhaji Manika Kamara

President, SLAJ

 

Joseph Egbenda Kapuwa Esq.

Chairman, IMC