Initiatives for Media Development

With support from IPDC UNESCO IMdev worked with journalists to promote gender-sensitive media in Sierra Leone

Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev), supported by the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) under UNESCO, embarked on a transformative journey to empower women and promote gender-sensitive media in Sierra Leone. Through a six-month project launched in 2019, IMdev partnered with Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) and the Guild of Editors to advance the status of women's rights and enhance the representation of gender-related issues in media coverage. With a focus on local ownership and long-term sustainability, the project aimed to build greater awareness of women's rights, improve the status of female journalists, and institutionalize a culture of excellence in gender and human rights reporting within media houses and educational institutions.

The project's achievements reflect a significant step forward in advancing gender empowerment and promoting inclusive media practices in Sierra Leone. Journalists underwent intensive training sessions on gender-sensitive reporting, where they learned to integrate human rights and gender perspectives into their coverage of women's issues. These efforts led to a notable improvement in media coverage, with journalists demonstrating a deeper understanding of gender dynamics and a commitment to mainstreaming gender issues in their reporting. Additionally, newsroom mentorship initiatives provided invaluable support to journalists, further enhancing their capacity to produce nuanced and impactful stories on gender-related topics.

Furthermore, the project facilitated meaningful engagement among media professionals, editors, and stakeholders through forums and discussions focused on gender mainstreaming in the newsroom. Recommendations emerged from these engagements, emphasizing the importance of combating sexist representations in media content, promoting equal access and participation of women in the media industry, and advocating for gender-sensitive media and ICT policies. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, IMdev has played a pivotal role in catalyzing change within the media landscape, paving the way for a more inclusive and gender-responsive media environment in Sierra Leone.

Two broadcast female journalists benefitted from a two months fellowship. The fellowship commenced on 6th January 2020.

Aminata Fofanah

is a reporter at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation Radio and with over five (5) years working experience in journalism and very passionate about reporting on Gender related issues. She holds a Higher Teacher Certificate from Milton Margai College of Education and Technology.

Lucy Emmanette Alieu

is a journalist working for Cotton Tree news/ Radio mount Aureole FBC with over two years experience in journalism. She holds a BA Hons in Mass Communications specializing in public relations.

IMdev launches a fact checking platform: Salone Fact Checker

In response to the alarming spread of misleading or outright fake news on social media platforms, Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev) implemented the "SaloneFactCheck" project in 2019 with funding from the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy. Recognizing the grave consequences of misinformation, especially in regions like Sierra Leone with limited access to information and the internet, IMdev aimed to combat the dissemination of false stories through social media channels.

By partnering with local stakeholders such as the National Youth Commission, the media, and the Guild of Editors, IMdev pursued key objectives, including closely monitoring social media platforms for news and information, investigating and fact-checking posts with an ethical lens, and fostering a culture of excellence in spreading credible information through social media platforms.

Over the course of 12 weeks, IMdev's SaloneFactCheck initiative provided Sierra Leoneans with accurate, balanced, and credible information, challenging the inaccuracies present in news and information circulating on social media. This project assembled a team of investigative journalists, editors, and social media experts to rigorously investigate stories emanating from social media platforms and raise awareness about ethical biases. The initiative also involved training key staff on investigative reporting skills, ensuring that participants were equipped with the necessary tools to verify stories through reliable and credible sources. Additionally, IMdev developed a fact-checking manual based on insights gleaned from the 12-week fact-checking period, further contributing to media literacy and the dissemination of accurate information in Sierra Leone.

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Our Work

With support from IPDC UNESCO IMdev worked with journalists to promote gender-sensitive media in Sierra Leone

Two broadcast female journalists benefitted from a two months fellowship. The fellowship commenced on 6th January 2020.

Aminata Fofanah

Lucy Emmanette Alieu

IMdev launches a fact checking platform: Salone Fact Checker

IMDev

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