Established in 2014, The Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev) is a prominent entity in Sierra Leone's media sphere, advocating for ethical journalism, human rights, and gender equality.
IMdev TeamWith a steadfast commitment to nurturing a robust and independent media landscape, IMdev implements strategic interventions across five and ten-year periods, fostering a dedicated cohort of journalists who prioritize human and women's rights. Operating in all 16 districts of Sierra Leone, IMdev engages 3.1 million Sierra Leoneans weekly through impactful collaborations, maintaining professionalism and non-partisanship.
More About UsThe Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev) is dedicated to building a vibrant and independent media sector in Sierra Leone. Through strategic partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and advocacy efforts, we empower journalists and media organizations to uphold ethical standards, prioritize human rights and gender issues, and excel in impactful reporting. Our mission is to cultivate a media landscape that champions transparency, accountability, and social justice, driving forward the country's progress towards a more equitable and democratic society.
At IMdev, we envision a Sierra Leone with a thriving, independent, and ethical media sector that serves as a pillar of democracy, fostering informed citizenship and amplifying voices for positive societal change.
Vision 2024-2030: Over the next six years, IMdev aims to transform Sierra Leone's media landscape through media visibility projects that drive societal progress. By 2030, we aspire to see media as a catalyst for sustainable development, supporting government and organizations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our focus is on transparency, accountability, media literacy, and ethical reporting—ensuring every voice is heard.
Our interventions leave behind a pool of skilled journalists who emphasize human and women’s rights while holding accountable those responsible for their protection. We achieve this through:
IMdev measures success through key strategic objectives, including:
At the heart of IMdev's mission is a commitment to values that define our work:
Problem Identified: The challenge for media development is the independence of media, meaning the ability for media owners to become economically self-sufficient to invest in their outlets, staff, and quality reporting.
Proposed Solution:
Problem Identified: Given the increasing rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in Sierra Leone, and the success of mentorship for female journalists, there is a need to strengthen the focus on GBV coverage and mentorship of female reporters into positions of authority in newsrooms.
Proposed Solution:
Problem Identified: There is a need for increased human rights awareness, targeting students, journalism faculty, media professionals, and the general public.
Proposed Solution:
Problem Identified: IMDEV’s training has highlighted the human cost of domestic violence. However, gender-based violence remains a serious issue, and there is a need for conflict-sensitive approaches to gender reporting.
Proposed Solution:
Problem Identified: With increased access to media and the internet, there are opportunities but also risks, especially for children and adolescents. Media Information Literacy is crucial to help people critically assess news and information.
Proposed Solution:
All specific objectives should seek to include local partners and networks to ensure that knowledge and capacity are housed within a collective of media professionals, strengthening the collaboration and engagement within the sector.