I am Antonia Howard, a broadcast journalist in Sierra Leone. I work as a presenter and reporter at Africa Young Voices Media (AYV), a private media conglomerate.

I began as a radio presenter in 2014 at Radio Life Ventures, a small community  radio station in Freetown.  By the end of 2015 I was an intern at AYV, working in radio, television and print while still in university about to complete my degree in Mass Communications. After graduating I was hired as a reporter and in two years worked my way up to Senior Reporter/Presenter covering development & politics and presenting AYV’s morning show Wake Up Sierra Leone and Prime Time News.

In 2018 I left for Cardiff University to study for my Master of Arts degree in International Journalism and graduated in 2020 with distinction.

Currently, I am the director of News & Current Affairs at AYV and also the company’s lead coordinator for internships and training in addition to my work as a reporter/presenter. When not on screen I produce news bulletins and supervise news content on AYV.

I have worked for BBC World News on a freelance basis, reporting for In Business Africa a weekly TV programme that looks at economic trends shaping Africa’s future. 

As a host, speaker and moderator I have presented on some big platforms including TedX in Sierra Leone and the Annual Media Cocktail at State House.

Awards
– 2018 Sister’s Choice TV Personality of the Year Award
– 2019 Independent Media Commission Award for Best Female Media Practitioner

Academic Qualifications
– Bachelor of Arts (honours) in Mass Communications 
– Master of Arts (distinction) in International Journalism