By Sallieu Sesay
The Guild of Newspaper Editors has opened discussions with Diming Yimo Printing Group on reducing newspaper printing costs, as publishers grapple with financial pressures in Sierra Leone’s media sector.
The meeting, held at the Government Printing Department in Freetown, focused on pricing and the sustainability challenges facing local newspapers amid limited advertising revenue and rising production costs.
Guild Chairman Thomas Dixon said current printing prices could threaten the survival of many publications, noting that newspapers operate under tight financial constraints.
“Many are run as sole proprietorships, and high printing costs could force them out of business,” Dixon said, calling for a review of pricing to support the industry.
He added that advertising rates in Sierra Leone remain among the lowest globally, further straining the viability of print media.
Responding, Diming Group Chairman Meng said the existing pricing structure was part of a test phase and would be reassessed.
“We will take your concerns into account as we review our pricing. Our goal is to balance affordability with the cost of production,” he said, noting that printing coloured pages requires significant resources.
Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue in pursuit of a pricing arrangement that supports the sustainability of newspapers while ensuring quality production standards.
