Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has commenced a crucial process to strengthen its capacity in defending press freedom and reinforcing its independence as part of the EU-funded MEDIA Project.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has begun working closely with SLAJ to assess its structures, resources, and advocacy strategies. This partnership aims to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to guide SLAJ’s growth in the short, medium, and long term.

Jeremy Dear, Treasurer of IFJ, who attended the launch, is in Freetown to conduct a moderated capacity audit of SLAJ. This process will involve in-depth discussions with the leadership, key activists, and representatives on critical areas such as governance, membership, communications, financial sustainability, gender and youth engagement, and media advocacy.

Speaking on the initiative, SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said:

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“This collaboration with IFJ is timely. It will help us critically assess our strengths and weaknesses and chart a clear path for the future. Our goal is to make SLAJ more effective in promoting press freedom, supporting journalists, and advocating for a better media environment in Sierra Leone.”

Furthermore, the outcome of this audit will serve as the foundation for a strategic plan that will guide the next SLAJ Executive after the upcoming elections. The discussions and recommendations from the process will shape capacity-building actions, resource mobilization, and an implementation roadmap to enhance SLAJ’s role in the media landscape.

SLAJ continues this critical journey towards a stronger and more independent media sector.