BBC Media Action Trains 60 Sierra Leonean Media Professionals to Combat Information Disorder

In a significant effort to address the growing challenge of misinformation in Sierra Leone’s rapidly digitalizing society, BBC Media Action has successfully trained 60 journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers in techniques to identify and counter fake news.

The comprehensive training program, conducted in autumn 2024, featured two distinct tiers of instruction. The primary initiative provided advanced training to 25 senior and mid-career media professionals from various regions across Sierra Leone. This intensive 22-day program combined in-person and online sessions led by international BBC trainers Marie Helly and Lazar Čovs.

Building on this foundation, the project implemented a strategic “multiplier effect” by having two graduates of the advanced program subsequently train an additional 35 journalists and bloggers from Freetown and other regions, effectively extending the program’s reach throughout the country.

For Sierra Leone, where a young population is increasingly coming online, the threat of information disorder presents significant challenges to social cohesion and informed civic participation. The training initiative aims to create a more resilient media landscape capable of distinguishing fact from fiction in an increasingly complex information environment.

Claudia J.D Redwood-Sawyerr, a journalist and fact-checker with SLAJ-iVerify, praised the program for exceeding her expectations. “I came into the training with an expectation to ‘add on knowledge’. The bar has been set higher,” she noted. “As it becomes more difficult to navigate through the many information disorders, so are more tools being introduced to aid a fact checker’s quest to provide sanity in the media. I have garnered a boost in confidence in carrying out my work.”

The training introduced participants to advanced digital verification tools and techniques, with a particular focus on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) methodologies. These skills are particularly valuable in a media environment where the pressure to publish quickly often competes with the journalistic principles of accuracy and verification.

Sallu Kamuskay, Founder and CEO of Salone Messenger, emphasized the responsibility that comes with digital publishing. “We live in a world where information is power. Anything we say or put out on the internet has the potential to change the course of history,” he said. “As bloggers and storytellers, we have the responsibility to ensure our stories are true before we click publish or post.”

Journalist Iris Aminata Bangura highlighted how the training addressed current media challenges, noting, “Many journalists focus on being the first to publish a story, often neglecting the core principles of journalism: accuracy, balance, and credibility.” She added that the program significantly expanded her knowledge of OSINT tools, which will enhance her journalistic practice.

Fellow journalist Christian Conteh expressed similar sentiments, stating that he now feels “fully capacitated with the essential tools and skills to identify and counter mis- and disinformation.”

The initiative, formally titled “Enhancing media capacity to tackle mis- and disinformation,” is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This collaboration reflects growing international concern about the impact of misinformation on democratic processes and social stability in developing media markets.

By equipping Sierra Leonean media professionals with advanced verification skills, the program aims to create a sustainable improvement in the quality of information available to the public, ultimately strengthening the foundation for informed civic discourse in the country.