Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat Trains Journalists On Responsible Reporting
BY: GIBRILLA KAMARA
The Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat has trained journalists on sensitive conflict reporting, and accountable governance, with the dissemination of news on the implementation of the 80 recommendations of the Tripartite Committee Report being the main reference.
The training, which took place at the Civic Service Commission on 8 July, 2025, is aimed at strengthening the standard of journalistic ethics in reporting on dramatic conditions resulting from conflict and governance challenges, and attracted heads or representatives from various institutions – TDS, SLAJ IRN, International IDEA and the European Union.
Head of the Tripartite Steering Committee, Ngolo Keita, explained the Committee’s mandate and responsibility, which, among other things, is to follow and facilitate the implementation of the 80 recommendations of the Tripartite Committee Report.
Mr. John T Lebbie discussed the role of sensitive conflict reporting, emphasising its core journalistic ethics – truth, accountability, transparency, independence, and accuracy.
He highlighted the crucial guiding principles and responsibility in reporting on the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations, stressing on the role of journalism as societal watchdog.
Outgoing president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasrala, noted the collective efforts so far made by independent radio networks on the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations to strengthen engagement between the media and government.
Representing the European Union and international IDEA, Mohamed U. Koroma said the two prominent bodies support democracy and good governance in Sierra Leone, and outlined two basic European Union projects – the 2019 European Union Council that aimed to foster global democratic operations, and the functional EU law, which is vital for external partnership, especially on the implementation of the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations.
He encouraged journalists to actively engage with the state functionaries on the tripartite committee recommendations report to ensure accountability in governance.
Other institutional representatives delivered statements, was made making the event real.
Tommy Macarthy concluded the session with teasers, games, tests, including a practical aspect on peace and conflict in the society. He also gave the vote of thanks.