We have been working with Sierra Leonean broadcasters and international and national NGOs to tackle poor access to information, widespread rumours and misinformation, and the marginalisation of women and young people in the 2007 and 2008 national and local elections.
Start date: 2006
End date: 2008
Media types: radio
Issue: governance
Country: Sierra Leone
We're working in partnership with the international NGO, Search for Common Ground, as well as the National Election Commission, the Independent Radio Network and National Election Watch to:
- Increase participation in the electoral process by giving Sierra Leonean citizens a voice
- Provide a safe space, opportunities and platforms for political campaigning by a diversity of candidates
- Provide timely and credible information on the electoral process throughout the country
- Help citizens hold their elected representatives to account for their campaign promises
Audiences
The initiative aims to reach a diverse cross-section of listeners, but is specifically targeting:
- Those who think they have been excluded from the decision-making process, particularly young people and women
- NGOs and media professionals
- The general population, especially in rural and conflict-prone communities
- Local and national electoral candidates and elected representatives
By helping young people constructively engage in the electoral process, the initiative aims to helps them resist being manipulated into election-related violence.
By directly targeting women, the initiative aims to ensure their active and proportionate participation in the electoral process.
NGOs and media professionals have an increasingly large role to play in supporting the elections, and making sure that civilians and political candidates have a safe space to engage with each other.
Research
In collaboration with Search for Common Ground, we carried out a survey of 2,600 18-59 year olds in eight districts to explore knowledge, attitudes and behaviour around Sierra Leone's electoral process.
Carried out in February and March 2007, the survey also investigated media consumption patterns and preferences.
The survey found that:
- 83% of respondents reported having voted in the last national election, and over 90% placed a high value on the importance of voting
- Only 25% of women reported having a high level of knowledge about the electoral process, compared with 36% of men
- 48% of respondents felt strongly that political parties in Sierra Leone do not offer real policy choices
- Only 26% of respondents felt strongly that their views are reflected in political discussions
The results were used to inform the development of journalism training programmes designed to improve radio coverage of the electoral process.
Read more about the survey results
Journalism training
People trust the radio to give them accurate, up-to-date information. Even the police were listening to the radio to find out which polling stations needed more support.
Clair Ziwa, producer and trainer, BBC World Service Trust
Hundreds of journalists learned new journalism skills, such as news writing, interviewing techniques, digital editing and reporting on elections.
During 2008, we will continue to strengthen IRN's partner radio stations, as well as the overall IRN network, to produce impartial, accurate programming and coverage of issues related to elections and effective government in Sierra Leone.
Co-productions
We facilitated the co-production of:
• 50 programmes by 15 stations leading up to the elections
• Daily live national programmes for 10 weeks during and after the elections
• Live reporting from more than 20 localities on election day
• More than 20 poems, spots, jingles, and songs designed to educate voters.
In addition we organised broadcasts of live candidate debates and three radio roadshows, which were turned into six national programmes.
"People trust the radio to give them accurate, up-to-date information. Even the police were listening to the radio to find out which polling stations needed more support."
Claire Ziwa, producer and trainer, BBC World Service Trust
Partners
Search for Common Ground (SFCG)
SFCG's mission is to transform the possibility of conflict into new opportunities for political engagement - particularly during elections, when the risk of violence is high.
National Election Commission (NEC)
We are working closely with the NEC to educate voters, and to ensure that correct information about the electoral process is shared with the public.
Independent Radio Network (IRN)
We have already provided extensive training and production support to stations in the Independent Radio Network. Supporting the development of a Sierra Leonean organisation that can continue to strengthen the media landscape and play an important role in the electoral process is a key factor in ensuring a free, fair and credible election.
National Election Watch (NEW)
NEW is a coalition of national and international organisations committed to monitoring the elections process. Participating in a larger coalition that brings together all non governmental organisations ensures a high impact, coordinated campaign. It can also be a powerful united force creating solidarity in society.
