By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Journalists in Kenema District have undergone a short training on ethical reportage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone. The training was conducted by the regional branch of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), with financial support from the German development agency, Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH).
The training was held in Kenema on Thursday.
SLAJ regional chairperson, Victoria Bernard, said the training was a necessary element for the fight against COVID-19. She noted that this was why they decided to develop a proposal and sent it to WHH for funding.
"This training will enable journalists to verify any piece of information from the appropriate authorities on COVID-19 before airing it out on their media outlets,” Bernard said, adding: "We want to ensure that journalists operate within the confines of the state of emergency. It will help to maintain the value of the profession".
Project manager at WHH, Derek Makokha, said the organization believed in the power of collaboration with the media in fighting the disease.
"WHH will continue to complement government’s effort through the District Emergency Operations Center to combat the disease, as it has devastated the world and put on hold all development in the world,” he said.
Makoha also advised journalists to be professional in executing their duties.
He took the chance to present 50 face masks to SLAJ during the training.
One of the facilitators during the training, Dr. Francis Sowa, praised the efforts of the regional body in organizing such a training. He said the training came at a time when journalists in the district needed it most. Sowa also urged journalists to lead by example by following all the guidelines and preventive measures announced by the government.
Kenema is the only district in the Eastern region that has recorded COVID-19 cases.
As of Saturday, it had recorded three cases.
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