By Mohamed Konneh
With funding from the European Union through the BBC Media Action, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) on Friday 12th December 2025 held one-day orientation for female journalists on Digital Media Literacy training at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The orientation was geared towards preparing the minds of female journalists that will undergo six weeks of intensive training on digital skills.
The Digital Media Literacy training is part of the EU supported project: titled ‘’Media Empowerment for Democracy, Inclusion, and Accountability (MEDIA).’’ The training accordingly will be facilitated by Limkokwing University and will last for six weeks. 70 female journalists will benefits from the training as they have been placed in three categories of cohorts.
Speaking during the orientation the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Alhaji Manika Kamara said the day marks another proud and progressive moment for the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) as we officially do orientation for seventy (70) female journalists who will undergo this rigorous Digital Literacy and Technical Media Training here at Limkokwing University.
Alhaji Manika Kamara-President SLAJ
‘’This initiative is not a workshop; it is not a one-off seminar. It is structured like a college-level course; intensive, practical, and transformational. And it is designed with one goal in mind: to empower female journalists with the digital, technical, and critical thinking skills required to thrive in a fast-changing media landscape,’’ the SLAJ President said.
Kamara said the programme, implemented by SLAJ in partnership with Limkokwing University under the EU-funded MEDIA Project through BBC Media Action, is a testament to what collaboration can achieve.
This he said complements the ongoing Public Financial Management training delivered by BAN, which kicked off in Freetown last week.
‘’Together, these interventions strengthen professionalism, accountability, and inclusiveness within Sierra Leone’s media sector’’.
The SLAJ President extends sincere appreciation to the European Union, for their continued investment in media freedom, media development, and democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
‘’Your support ensures that journalists, especially women, are equipped not just to participate, but to compete and lead.
To BBC Media Action, thank you for standing firmly with us in building capacity and strengthening institutions. Your technical leadership is shaping a stronger, more resilient media ecosystem.
To the Limkokwing University, the SLAJ President acknowledge and appreciate their commitment to innovation and creativity.
The Head of Department Mass Communication Department, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Hassan Kamara draw the attention of the journalists on the importance of the training noting that at Limkokwing laziness and failure is not tolerated.
He said the training is structured to develop the skills of female journalists, in the digital landscape.
He encourage journalists to take full ownership of the opportunity.
‘’Digital literacy, multimedia production, online safety, data verification, and ethical digital practice are now core requirements for journalism. This training positions you not just to compete, but to lead,’’ he said.
Kamara ended with a word of caution noting only journalists who completed the six weeks will be awarded with certification and that a certification ceremony will be held at the completion of the training.
Evelyn Turay of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation from Bo District is among beneficiaries and was delighted to have been part of the journalists shortlisted for the training.
She thanked SLAJ, the European Union and BBC Media Action for the opportunity assuring that they will grab the opportunity with all humility.
Similar sentiment was also express by Kadija Jalloh of Air-Radio who also express appreciation for the opportunity.
The digital training for female journalists will start in earnest second of week of January 2026.
