By: Usman Fambuleh
The Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Joseph Ebenda Kapuwa Esq., has delivered a compelling lecture to law students of IMATT College, focusing on media law, digital regulation, and ethical journalism in Sierra Leone.
The academic engagement took place on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the 4th Floor, IMATT College Kingtom Campus, as part of the Law Department’s initiative to expose students to practical perspectives on legal regulation beyond the classroom.
Welcoming the guest lecturer, the Proprietor and Board Member of IMATT College, Amadu Justice Bah, expressed appreciation to the IMC Chairman for honouring the invitation. He highlighted the institution’s steady growth and reaffirmed its commitment to quality legal education, describing IMATT College as an institution driven by standards, efficiency, and academic excellence.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Digital Frontier: The Emergence of Online Broadcasters and the IMC’s Regulatory Approach,” Joseph Ebenda Kapuwa Esq. addressed the evolving nature of media practice and the growing dominance of online platforms in news dissemination. He provided students with an overview of the history, mandate, and limitations of the IMC, emphasizing its constitutional and statutory role in regulating Sierra Leone’s media landscape.
The IMC Chairman explained that while traditional media institutions are well regulated, online broadcasters, blogs, and digital content creators now operate at the forefront of news reporting, often without formal registration or regulatory oversight. He noted that this trend presents legal and ethical challenges to media accountability.
“For blogs and online broadcasters, we are developing a compliance policy. This is not to reject them, but to ensure that their content is balanced, credible, and in the public interest,” he explained.
According to him, the proposed regulatory framework aims to strengthen professionalism, ethical standards, and public trust in media content. He further disclosed that the IMC is working closely with relevant stakeholders to establish clear guidelines that will bring digital media operators within the scope of media law in Sierra Leone.
Kapuwa also highlighted key challenges faced by the Commission, including enforcement limitations and the rapidly changing digital environment. He reaffirmed the IMC’s commitment to ensuring that all media practitioners operating in Sierra Leone comply with ethical and legal standards, regardless of platform.
The Head of the Law Department, IMATT College, and Media & Telecommunications Law Lecturer, Mohamed Wurie Bah Esq., described the engagement as timely and relevant. He noted that the lecture provided students with first-hand insight into media regulation, digital broadcasting, and the practical application of media law.
“This engagement helps our students understand how media law works in practice and prepares them for real-world legal challenges,” he said, adding that the department will continue to invite professionals to address critical areas of legal practice.
The session ended with a highly interactive question-and-answer segment, during which students engaged the IMC Chairman on regulatory powers, freedom of expression, and the future of digital media regulation in Sierra Leone.
IMATT College reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and national development through continuous engagement with key national institutions.
