The Truth about Traditional Media Houses in Sierra Leone

Before the advent of social media platforms. Traditional media houses were the only source where listeners got the news. In Sierra Leone, where it was typical, people sat in groups to listen to a radio broadcast. They paid keen attention to the extent of not missing any part of a news item.

Radio and television were the only sources of news by then.

Considering the fast pace of social media platforms and the excessive usage of the Internet. Traditional media houses are finding it difficult to cope with the new trend. Most of them are dwindling, with the taste of losing listeners and quality programs.

The new media, as it is referred to in America, are making headlines. Facebook, x, YouTube, blog pages, and many other social media platforms provide fast space to get the news in time.

Traditional media houses lack the acumen and transformational leadership to match up with the current trends of producing news. Many are still stuck with the old system of assigning reporters to a fixed story. The system of assigning them to a field with an old recorder to an evening newscast.

According to DataReportal, it shows that as of January 2025, there were approximately 1.80 million internet users in Sierra Leone, representing 20.7% of the total population. That percentage suggests many people make use of social media platforms to get quick news.

Fix concepts, old systems of operations, motivation, and the lack of digital skills will continue to nudge traditional media houses.

The digital world doesn’t want the news through difficult ways. The strength of digitalization is making the world a global village where everything is available on the phone with just a click.

Traditional media houses in Sierra Leone need to follow the pace of the new media. Newscasts should be on different platforms, not only old-ways.

Even though the new media platforms do not have the expertise, the trust between the audience and bloggers will continue to be strong considering the strength they have built with their channels.

Over time, if traditional media houses do not swiftly cope with the new trend, they will lose not only listeners but talented staffers.