By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Resident Representative of UNDP Sierra Leone, Fredrick Ampiah, has officially launched the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Annual National Media Awards for 2024/2025. Speaking at the opening ceremony of SLAJ’s Annual General Meeting on September 27, 2024 in Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone, Fredrick Ampiah unveiled the awards program and announced a new category: the ‘UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award.’
He emphasized that the event, hosted at Njala Venue in Bo City, was a celebration of journalistic excellence and the critical role of the media in fostering transparency, accountability and public engagement.
“This occasion celebrates journalistic excellence and a commitment to informing the public with integrity and professionalism,” the UNDP Resident Representative stated, praising the media for its contributions to democracy and sustainable development.
The SLAJ Media Awards will recognize achievements across 17 categories, including investigative journalism, gender reporting, education, human rights and political reporting. Among these, the newly introduced ‘UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award’ stands out, recognizing a journalist who demonstrates exceptional courage and professionalism in reporting on issues of public interest and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The winner of the UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award will receive a fully funded trip to cover an international event organized by UNDP, a laptop, a certificate of excellence signed by both SLAJ and UNDP and exclusive invitations to networking events,” Fredrick Ampiah revealed.
He highlighted the vital partnership between UNDP and the media, underscoring the media’s role as a pillar of democracy, a vehicle for civic engagement and a promoter of social justice and good governance. Fredrick Ampiah noted that the media is particularly essential in post-conflict countries like Sierra Leone, where it contributes to peace-building, reconciliation and countering misinformation.
The Resident Representative further added that UNDP has been actively supporting media initiatives in Sierra Leone, citing partnerships with SLAJ, the Independent Radio Network and BBC Media Action. In 2023, they launched the iVerify fact-checking platform to combat misinformation ahead of the national elections. Over 330 stories have since been verified through this platform, strengthening public trust in the media.
The UNDP, in collaboration with SLAJ and BBC Media Action, is also set to train over 100 journalists in development journalism and fact-checking to enhance their reporting skills on governance and economic development. This initiative aims to empower journalists to produce impactful stories that drive positive social change.
Fredrick Ampiah concluded by encouraging journalists and media organizations across Sierra Leone to participate in the SLAJ Media Awards, highlighting the crucial role they play in promoting accountability, educating the public, and contributing to national development.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 11, 2025, at the Freetown International Conference Center, Bintumani Hotel.
Award Categories for 2024 Include:
- Sam Metzger Award for Best Political Reporting
- Best Reporting on Gender Issues
- Best Economic Reporting
- Blyden Jenkins-Johnston Award for Best Court Reporting
- Best Health Reporting
- Best Reporting on Arts, Culture and Tourism
- Best Sports Reporting
- Olu Awoonor Gordon Award for Best Investigative Reporting
- Best Reporting on the Environment
- Best Report on Human Rights
- Best Reporting on Agriculture
- Best Reporting on Education
- Best Feature Story
- Best Reporting on Corruption
- Best Reporting on Parliament
- UNDP Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award
Eligibility and Submission Process:
The SLAJ National Media Awards 2024 is open to all registered, practicing and paid-up members of SLAJ. Entries must be submitted electronically via email (slajmediaawards2024@gmail.com) by December 31, 2024. Only original submissions published between January 1 and December 31, 2024, will be eligible. Each submission must include the entrant’s name, contact information and details about where and when the work was published or aired.
A panel of independent judges will review all entries and the winners will be announced during the awards ceremony in April 2025. For sponsorship opportunities, interested parties can contact SLAJ via phone or email.
The SLAJ Media Awards 2024 is set to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of journalists in Sierra Leone, reinforcing the crucial role of the media in driving national progress and development.
