With funding from US Embassy IMdev improved Societal Resilience on Fact-Checking in the Fight Against Fake News and Disinformation in Sierra Leone
In response to growing concerns about the potential impact of fake news on Sierra Leone's democracy, Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev) collaborated with Media Matters for Women (MMW) with funds from the US Embassy in Sierra Leone and the Fulbright Program to launch the Improving Societal Resilience on Fact-Checking project. This initiative aimed to empower both online and offline populations with media information literacy (MIL) skills to combat the spread of misinformation, particularly in the context of the 2023 elections. At the core of this project was the enhancement of Salone Fact Checker (SFC), Sierra Leone's premier fact-checking platform, which received critical support from a 33-day Fulbright specialist project led by Dr. Michael Epstein. Through strategic engagements with government officials, university stakeholders, journalists, and grassroots communities, Dr. Epstein developed a blueprint to bolster SFC's capacity in countering fake news, fostering fact-based reporting, and promoting media literacy across diverse segments of the population.
The project's efforts culminated in the formation of a dedicated "Truth Team," comprising journalists from both MMW and IMdev, tasked with producing evidence-based report cards on trending news stories. Over the course of six months, the Truth Team meticulously investigated and published 12 report cards on the SFC Facebook page, covering a spectrum of political, social, and economic issues. These reports, characterized by their rigorous fact-checking methodology and reliance on credible sources, were disseminated via podcasts to rural communities, reaching over 50,000 listeners across 267 communities weekly. Additionally, IMdev's extensive network of 40 community radio stations and WhatsApp platforms facilitated the broadcast of fact-checked stories to remote areas, ensuring broad access to reliable information.
The project's impact extended beyond traditional media channels, as MIL training sessions conducted by Dr. Epstein empowered 25 journalists and mass communication students to build capacity in fact-checking skills. Emphasizing inclusivity, these trainings prioritized underserved populations, including rural women, illiterate individuals, and other vulnerable groups, to foster a more informed and discerning public. By strengthening SFC's infrastructure, enhancing journalistic skills, and amplifying fact-checked content through various communication channels, IMdev and its partners aim to mitigate the negative effects of fake news on Sierra Leone's democratic processes, promoting stability, trust, and peace among its citizens in the lead-up to the 2023 elections.
IMdev Strengthened the Political Participation of Women in Sierra Leone Through Media Monitoring of Gender-Sensitive Reporting
Our initiative, "Strengthening the Political Participation of Women in Sierra Leone Through Media Monitoring of Gender-Sensitive Reporting," has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and amplifying the voices of women in the country's media landscape. Funded by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, the project trained a supervisor and four monitors to meticulously assess 25 media houses from October 2022 to January 2023. Through the development of indicators and utilizing Kobo Toolbox for data collection, our team collected valuable insights over a 12-week period from 20 media outlets. This data informed the creation of a groundbreaking policy brief and scorecard, "Who Makes the News in Sierra Leone – A Media Gender Scorecard," which was officially launched on February 21st, 2023, by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray.
The immediate impact of our efforts is evident in the policy brief's adoption by media stakeholders, political parties, and women's associations, signaling a collective commitment to gender-sensitive reporting. Notably, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists recognized the importance of our work, leveraging the policy brief to secure funding from Irish Aid for a nationwide gender policy implementation tour.
With over 300 copies of the policy brief disseminated and shared through various channels, including national and community radio, television, and social media platforms, our project has not only increased awareness but also sparked critical conversations on the role of media in promoting women's political participation. Through targeted capacity-building initiatives and strategic partnerships with stakeholders like the Independent Media Commission, our project continues to drive positive change, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable media landscape in Sierra Leone.
