MRCG Trains South-East Journalists on Transitional Justice Reporting

The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with support from the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), on Friday organized a one-day training workshop for journalists in the Southeast at Fears Hotel in Bo.

Welcoming participants, MRCG’s National Coordinator, Dr. Francis Sowa, underscored the vital role of the media in promoting accountability and reconciliation through accurate reporting on transitional justice (TJ). He urged journalists to take the training seriously, stressing the urgency of raising awareness on issues of injustice that continue to affect communities.

“Transitional justice issues are everyday issues; they live with us, so we must report on them daily to remind our surroundings of the past,” Dr. Sowa said, recalling Sierra Leone’s civil war and the need to address human rights violations from that period to the present.

Lead Facilitator and Media Consultant, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Jalloh, provided insights into the evolving definitions of transitional justice, citing academic perspectives and practical examples.

He explained that TJ encompasses mechanisms to address human rights abuses and promote conflict resolution, while highlighting the media’s role in simplifying complex concepts for the public. He also shared guidelines for effective reporting and cautioned against misinformation and bias.

In his contribution, Sheku Mansaray, Regional Manager of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), emphasized that transitional justice plays a central role in safeguarding human rights, peace, good governance, and development. He encouraged journalists to exercise professionalism, avoid publishing incendiary content, and contribute positively to national stability.

Participants journalists drawn from across the Southeast expressed gratitude to MRCG and ATJLF for the empowerment initiative. They pledged to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen their reporting, foster community reconciliation, and support Sierra Leone’s democratic development.

The training equipped participants with practical skills for responsible reporting on transitional justice, reinforcing efforts toward national healing and reconciliation