By Assanatu Labble Sillah
In the bid to enhance health accountability of journalists in Sierra Leone, Initiative for Media Development (IMdev) in collaboration with United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, (UNICEF) on Friday 15th November 2019 concluded two days training for journalists across the country on Health Accountability Network of Journalists. The event took place at Sierra Leone Association of Journalists headquarters on Campbell Street Freetown.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director Initiative for Media Development, Commissioner Yeama Thompson disclosed that the two days training is geared towards increasing media capacity in Sierra Leone in order to monitor and oversee health care services in the country. She admonished journalists to be conscious and report any ineffective service delivery.
The National Commissioner for Democracy Southern Region, Marian Samu, also called on journalists to stop compromising their profession but rather to lift up the banner of this noble profession by giving credible reports, adding that they should add value to the profession and work in unity.
Madam Samu advised journalists to be attending meetings to get and gain information especially in their local communities, as their role is to give credible report and also to advocate for the rights of the citizens.
In her closing statement she said the media should assume its rightful position as the Fourth Estate, noting that most people no longer have respect for the media despite the fact that the media plays a bright and bigger role on health accountability.
