Sarah Bomkapre Koroma

My research focuses on journalism cultures, press freedom, and the safety of journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone. As Principal Investigator for the Worlds of Journalism Study (WJS) in Sierra Leone I examine how journalists navigate threats such as political intimidation, digital surveillance, and economic insecurity. My book, Journalism Cultures in Sierra Leone: Between Global Norms and Local Pressures, explores these dynamics in depth, highlighting the values, vulnerabilities, and resilience of local journalists.Before transitioning to academia, I spent over 18 years working in radio, television, and international media. That experience fuels my ongoing concern for journalist safety and informs my commitment to producing research that supports evidence-based protections and sustainable working conditions for journalists in fragile media landscapes.

Definition of journalists' safety

Journalism safety, to me, goes beyond physical protection as it encompasses the psychological, digital, legal, and economic conditions that allow journalists to do their work freely, ethically, and without fear. It means creating an environment where journalists especially those in fragile or high-risk contexts can report truthfully without facing threats, intimidation, surveillance, or financial vulnerability. As someone who has worked in the field and now researches it, I see journalism safety as both a human right and a foundation for democratic societies. Ensuring the safety of journalists means safeguarding the public’s access to information, amplifying marginalized voices, and upholding the integrity of journalism as a profession.

Future plans for research on journalists' safety

My future research on journalists’ safety will focus on the evolving risks faced by media professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to digital safety, gender-based threats, and the structural vulnerabilities affecting local and female journalists. In an increasingly digitized media environment, I am especially concerned with how surveillance, online harassment, and data insecurity undermine journalists’ ability to work freely and safely.