In a move widely seen as strengthening the nexus between media freedom, civic responsibility, and digital transformation, His Excellency Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, has appointed Rev. Alusine Diamond-Suma as a Commissioner of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), in accordance with the Independent Media Commission Act No. 5 of 2020.
Rev. Diamond-Suma is no stranger to Sierra Leone’s media landscape. With almost two decades of experience in mainstream journalism and a growing footprint in digital communications, he has worked across print, broadcast, and online platforms. As a proud member of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), who has consistently championed professionalism, accountability, and innovation in media practice, he will be representing the association in the commission.
Beyond the newsroom, Rev. Diamond-Suma has carved a reputation for blending communication expertise with leadership in public service. He leads communications for the Anglican Diocese of Freetown (including the Northern Region), where he also serves as a Parish Priest. His dual calling as both preacher and media practitioner has given him a unique vantage point: shepherding communities in faith, while shaping national conversations through journalism and technology.
Colleagues say his appointment is timely. As Sierra Leone’s media sector grapples with misinformation, economic pressures, and the global shift to digital platforms, Diamond-Suma’s dual expertise in traditional media and information technology is expected to help the Commission respond with both rigor and vision.
“I see this role not just as a personal honor, but as a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s democratic journey,” Diamond-Suma said, after receiving his appointment letter from State House. “The media remains the lifeblood of accountability and good governance, and I am committed to supporting a free, responsible, and technologically adaptive media environment.”
In the media fraternity, he has already been instrumental in guiding media houses to embrace digital strategies, empowering young journalists, and ensuring civic education reaches rural communities. His entrepreneurial work through media consulting firms has further pushed the boundaries of how Sierra Leone’s media can modernize without losing its core values.
With his track record in civic education through the OGP, youth empowerment, and Parliamentary and Democratic governance programming, Rev. Diamond-Suma is expected to act as a bridge between local realities and global media development conversations.
The Independent Media Commission remains a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s democracy, tasked with regulating and safeguarding the independence of the press. With Rev. Diamond-Suma now on board, the Commission is poised to strengthen its oversight role, while adapting to the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.