UNDP Resident Representative Fredrick Ampiah officially launched the 2024/25 Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Annual Media Awards at their Annual General Meeting in Bo City. The awards aim to celebrate journalistic excellence and promote media integrity and professionalism.
Ampiah highlighted the vital role of the media in supporting democracy, transparency, and accountability in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the need for a free, independent press to empower citizens, foster civic engagement, and ensure leaders are held accountable.
UNDP’s partnership with Sierra Leone’s media focuses on strengthening the media landscape. Key initiatives include the iVerify fact-checking platform, launched in collaboration with SLAJ, the Independent Radio Network, and BBC Media Action, which has fact-checked over 330 stories to combat misinformation.
In his remarks, Ampiah stressed that journalists play a crucial role in advancing human rights, social justice, and sustainable development. To support this, UNDP will train over 100 journalists in development journalism and fact-checking.
The SLAJ Annual Media Awards will honor excellence across 17 categories, including investigative journalism, gender reporting, financial reporting, and human rights. The prestigious UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award will offer the winner a fully funded trip to cover a major international event, along with a laptop, certificate of excellence, and invitations to UNDP networking events.
Ampiah urged journalists to participate, recognizing their critical role in informing the public, promoting accountability, and driving sustainable development.
