Resident Representative of UNDP Sierra Leone, Mr. Fredrick Ampiah, has officially unveiled the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Annual National Media Awards 2024/2025, and announced the maiden ‘UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award’.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Meeting of SLAJ on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Njala Venue, Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone, Ampiah described the occasion as a celebration of journalistic excellence, with the dedication to reporting the truth. “It is my distinct honour to join you today for the Annual General Meeting of SLAJ and to officially launch the SLAJ Annual Media Awards 2024/25. This occasion is a celebration of journalistic excellence and the dedication to informing the public with integrity and professionalism,” said Ampiah.
The SLAJ Media Awards 2024/25 will celebrate excellence in journalism across 17 categories, including investigative journalism, gender reporting, agriculture, financial reporting, education, human rights, culture, tourism, and political reporting. The UNDP is supporting the special category of the best journalist of the year. “One of the most prestigious honours is the UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award.
This award recognizes a journalist who has demonstrated exceptional courage, integrity, and professionalism in reporting on issues that positively impact public interest and contribute significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Ampiah.
According to the UNDP boss, the winner of the UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award will receive: A fully funded trip to cover a significant international event organized by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa in New York, or at the Regional Hub for West and Central Africa in Dakar, Senegal; A laptop computer; A certificate of excellence signed by SLAJ and UNDP, and Invitations to exclusive networking events organized by UNDP Sierra Leone. The UNDP values its partnership with the media for several reasons, said Ampiah. First, he described the media as a pillar of democracy: “A free, independent media is crucial for democracy. It ensures transparency and accountability, aligning with UNDP’s mission to promote good governance,” he said.
Second, Ampiah said the media empowers citizens through information: “The media empowers people by providing them with accurate information, fostering civic engagement, and enabling informed decision-making,” he said. Third, he said the media strengthens good governance and accountability: “By amplifying the voices of the marginalized and holding leaders accountable, the media plays a pivotal role in promoting social justice and strengthening democratic institutions.” Fourth, he described the media as a development enabler: “The media fosters partnerships and dialogue essential for addressing development challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change,” he said. Fifth, he said the media is crucial for peacebuilding: “In post-conflict nations like Sierra Leone, the media is crucial for promoting reconciliation, countering misinformation, and encouraging dialogue for lasting peace.
“Journalists are key players in advancing human rights, social justice, and sustainable development. Through your reporting, you shine a light on issues that matter most to society, from governance to economic growth,” said Ampiah. The UNDP’s support of the media in Sierra Leone focuses on strengthening its role as a pillar of democracy, fostering transparency, accountability, and informed civic participation. In 2023, UNDP partnered with SLAJ, the Independent Radio Network, and BBC Media Action to launch the iVerify fact-checking platform in the build-up to the June 2023 national elections, to combat misinformation, as well as training programmes in development journalism aimed at empowering journalists to report on governance, economic growth, and social progress.
To date, over 330 stories have been fact-checked, helping to combat fake news and strengthen public trust. To further support this vital role, UNDP, in collaboration with BBC Media Action and SLAJ will train over 100 journalists in development journalism and fact-checking. This programme is expected to enhance their skills in reporting on governance, economic development, and social progress, empowering them to produce impactful stories that drive meaningful change. While officially launching the SLAJ Annual Media Awards 2024/25, the UNDP Sierra Leone boss encouraged all journalists, media practitioners, and organizations across Sierra Leone to participate actively. “Your work is crucial in informing and educating the public, promoting accountability, and contributing to sustainable development,” he noted. The Outstanding Journalists of the Year 2023, won by Amadu Lamrana Bah, was not sponsored by the UNDP Sierra Leone.
