By: News Desk, Beline Media Empire
A Sierra Leonean journalist has responded to accusations from some political actors and supporters who claim he has been “silent” on national issues, particularly on international media platforms such as the BBC.
In a detailed public statement addressed to Sierra Leoneans, Umaru Fofana clarified that his reduced presence on international broadcasts is not by choice but largely due to structural changes in global media organisations and the realities of freelance journalism.
Fofana explained that several years ago, the BBC underwent major financial restructuring that significantly reduced coverage across Africa, leading to the closure of several language services and changes to flagship programmes that previously covered African news more extensively. According to him, these changes drastically reduced opportunities for African correspondents to report regularly on international platforms.
He noted that as a freelance international correspondent, he must pitch story ideas to editors, who then decide whether the stories are relevant, timely, and financially viable for international audiences. He said Sierra Leone stories now compete with major global events such as wars, geopolitical tensions, and political developments around the world, which often take priority in international news coverage.
Fofana also clarified that since leaving full-time employment with the BBC in 2014 and moving into freelance reporting, he has been paid per story rather than receiving a fixed salary. Under the freelance system, stories must be approved before they are covered, and travel, accommodation, and logistics are only funded when assignments are commissioned.
He revealed that this year alone, he pitched nearly a dozen story ideas for international coverage. Still, only a few were approved, highlighting the financial and editorial constraints faced by global news organisations.
Addressing suggestions that he should report more frequently on social media, Fofana said he was among the first journalists in Sierra Leone to use social media for real-time news reporting, but explained that such reporting was previously supported by work he was already doing for international media organisations that covered his reporting costs.
He stressed that independent reporting without institutional support would require him to personally fund news gathering, which he said is not financially sustainable, especially as journalism remains his primary source of income. He has family and charitable responsibilities to support.
In his statement, Fofana reaffirmed his independence as a journalist and urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation or making unfounded accusations about his work. He emphasised that he remains committed to professional journalism and public interest reporting.
Read the full statement here.
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