By: Alimatu Kargbo
The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG-SL), with support from the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), has concluded a high-impact training aimed at equipping journalists to report more effectively on transitional justice issues in Sierra Leone.
Held at the CCSL Compound on King Harman Road in Freetown, the workshop brought together 26 journalists from across the country. The training focused on building deeper understanding of transitional justice mechanisms such as truth-telling, reparations, institutional reforms, and non-recurrence guarantees.
Facilitators emphasized the media’s crucial role in shaping narratives that promote reconciliation, accountability, and national healing in the aftermath of conflict.
Speaking at the opening, Yeanor Kabia, President of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), praised MRCG for organizing what she called a “timely and essential” training.
“This training comes at a critical juncture in our democratic journey,” Kabia said. “As journalists, we are not just storytellers but active participants in truth-telling, justice, and national reconciliation.”
Kabia highlighted that transitional justice is not only about addressing past atrocities but also about shaping a future grounded in dignity, fairness, and inclusion. She urged journalists to amplify marginalized voices and uphold human rights and accountability in their reporting.
SLAJ President, Alhaji Manika Kamara, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the long-lasting impact of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war and the ongoing need for justice and institutional reform.
“As journalists, we are more than chroniclers of history. We are watchdogs, educators, and the first bridge between the truth and the public,” Kamara said. “This training is not just about skills, but about renewing our commitment to justice, peace, and democratic trust.”
He called for sensitive and courageous reporting on transitional justice themes, especially issues like reparations, corruption, and governance.
Both SLRU and SLAJ leaders encouraged participants to use the knowledge gained not only to improve their professional craft but to deepen their role as advocates for peace, cohesion, and national unity.
The training forms part of MRCG’s broader initiative to strengthen media capacity in post-conflict recovery and promote ethical, informed journalism across Sierra Leone.
