20100401
africanews

Sierra Leoneans have woken up today for the first time after ten years without the United Nations radio. The UN radio which was set up in 2000 played a significant role in consolidating peace in the West Africa nation. Until last night it was the 'most trusted' independent broadcaster with a country wide transmission.

According to the Transition Management Team (TMT), effective April 1st the assets of the UN Radio will merge with West Africa’s oldest broadcaster the former Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) to what is now known as the new Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

The local United Nations radio seized operation last night and is now part of a new outfit which will be officially launched by Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma on April 27th, Independence Day.

The new SLBC will be an independent broadcaster with support from the United Nations Peace building Funds. The transformation has spark debate among Sierra Leone’s six million populations. President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist stated in a Facebook forum that “we will ALL be watching to ensure its independence. I doubt anything fundamental will change at once.

“We will still see reporting on the president, president, president, minister, minister, minister, and so on. Yes because the powers-that-be want it to be so, but also because the staff will keep thinking so they must do to keep their jobs.’’

The BBC reporter said further ‘’ However... See more; I am full of hope that with constant training of the staff there, and with our watchful eyes and big mouths over them, their mindset will change and those attempting to dictate to them from outside with hands-off.

"We must all always remember the ultimate good thing about the SLBC - the government agreeing for a change of management. It is a rare feat on our continent. As far as I know only South Africa has been there before us. Let us be proud of ourselves and our Government for this.”