The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), in collaboration with the European Union Delegation, has commenced a five-day environmental journalism training program aimed at enhancing media coverage on climate change.

The training, which runs from October 28 to November 1, 2024, brings together 22 journalists and three social media influencers from across the country to build their capacity in reporting on pressing environmental issues.

Organized by Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev), the program seeks to strengthen media’s role in climate action by providing participants with tools to effectively report on topics such as deforestation, coastal erosion, illegal fishing, and the broader impacts of climate change on Sierra Leone.

In his opening remarks, SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla stressed the need for journalists to play a more active role in addressing environmental challenges. “The media must step up and be the voice of both the environment and the people affected. This training equips journalists with the skills to transform complex environmental data into compelling stories that inspire action and inform policy,” Nasralla stated.

Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens, underscored the significance of the initiative, calling it “a vital step in our national strategy to combat climate change.” She added, “By empowering journalists to effectively communicate these complex issues, we are fostering a more informed public discourse and paving the way for evidence-based policymaking in environmental management.”

EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone also emphasized the importance of media in driving public awareness and supporting climate action. “Our partnership with Sierra Leone in critical areas such as environmental sustainability and climate action is strengthened by empowering journalists. This training fosters a more informed public discourse and supports Sierra Leone’s efforts to tackle climate change,” the ambassador noted.

The training will provide participants with hands-on experience in investigative reporting techniques, sustainable practices, and environmental governance, equipping them to play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and influencing policies on climate change and natural resource management.