In 2021, IMdev, supported by UNESCO Abuja Office, undertook a project focused on enhancing media information literacy (MIL) among adolescents in Sierra Leone. Through innovative approaches, IMdev targeted 60 children aged 9 to 18 from two primary schools in disadvantaged communities in Freetown and Kambia. The project aimed to cultivate an enabling environment for understanding MIL, piloting empowerment services within the schools, and establishing MIL school clubs. IMdev collaborated with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary schools for participant selection, ensuring inclusivity and representation from disadvantaged households and communities.

The project successfully upskilled the adolescents in MIL, emphasizing technical, cognitive, and emotional competencies essential for navigating social media responsibly. Following the engagements, two MIL school clubs were established, providing ongoing opportunities for knowledge development and skills enhancement. Pupils demonstrated a basic understanding of MIL and actively shared their knowledge with peers and families.The initiative sparked increased dialogue around MIL within the selected schools, with continued engagement facilitated through school clubs and virtual meetings.

Notably, IMdev also organized a #TakeOver Social Media event, empowering adolescents to showcase their MIL skills and promoting continued discussions on combating fake news and disinformation. The project's success is evidenced by the active involvement of school clubs in hosting town hall discussions and additional training sessions, furthering the impact of MIL in promoting digital literacy and responsible social media use among adolescents in Sierra Leone.

IMdev partners with IOM to promote accurate coverage of migration issues

Funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the initiative on sustaining media education on migration with a focus on reaching vulnerable communities has yielded significant impact. Migration, often fraught with complexity and surrounded by myths, became a central theme in the coverage of participating radio stations during the project period. These community radio stations now actively engage with international and local news websites, as well as social media platforms, to gather information.

They conduct interviews with stakeholders, including duty bearers, and utilize evidence-based reports to provide more comprehensive and accurate coverage of migration issues. By integrating human-centered narratives into their daily programming, these radio stations have contributed to fostering a deeper understanding of migration dynamics among their audiences.

Through collaborative efforts, the project enabled participating community radio stations to play a vital role in shaping public discourse on migration. By prioritizing accurate information and humanizing stories related to migration, these stations have effectively challenged misconceptions and contributed to a more informed public dialogue. The use of evidence-based reporting and engagement with diverse stakeholders has enhanced the quality and depth of coverage on migration topics. As exemplified by the provided link, radio stations like AfriRadioSL have leveraged multimedia platforms to further amplify their impact, reaching broader audiences and facilitating constructive conversations on migration within vulnerable communities. See facebook page