AMI, Others To Train Journalists On Election Coverage
The Africa Media Initiative, AMI, has teamed up with key partners to conduct a two-day workshop for Sierra Leonean journalists on election coverage and prevention of violence. This is part of its series of engagements in countries that are holding elections this year.
The workshop, which is jointly organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Peace & Security Department of the African Union Commission (AUC), the Media Reform Coordinating Group – Sierra Leone, the African Media Initiative (AMI) and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), will take place in Freetown from February 16 to 17, 2018 at the Golden Tulip Hotel.
It will provide an opportunity for media professionals to enhance their knowledge of electoral laws, institutions and processes as well as providing a platform for discussion, exchange of ideas, and the sharing of good practices on the coverage of elections in ways that ensure their success, prevent violence and advance the national development agenda.
The training will bring together some 30 editors from community media, print, TV and radio to enhance the media’s capacity to fulfill its role effectively during electoral processes.
“It’s our belief that the media plays a central role in enriching national conversation around issues that really matter to the common citizens, and election periods offer just that perfect moment when the media has a unique opportunity to shape the discussion and set the agenda for the greater good of the nation,” said Roukaya Kasenally, the Chief Executive Officer of the AMI.
“We therefore need to make sure that the media is fully aware of its role and considers itself an actor rather than a spectator of the much needed change. We need to have a media that understands and breaks down the issues to their various audiences,” added Eric Chinje, Senior Media Advisor at AMI.
“The partnership with AMI comes in handy during this electioneering period as it will further strengthen the capacity of our media practitioners. We hope to deepen the collaboration with AMI on various other sectors going forward to accelerate the reforms in the Sierra Leone media landscape” said Francis Sowa, Chairman of the Media Reform Coordinating Group Sierra Leone (MRCG-SL),
AMI and its other partners have scheduled similar interventions in other African countries that are preparing for elections this year.
