The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a nationwide media literacy campaign to promote the use of the iVerify platform—an initiative designed to combat the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech.The campaign, implemented in collaboration with the Independent Radio Network (IRN), kicked off on June 26, 2025, with engagements in Port Loko and Bombali districts. The outreach brought together diverse interest groups including bike riders, market women, youth, Ataya base members, civil society groups, and media practitioners, with the aim of raising awareness about iVerify, how it works, and why every citizen has a role to play in upholding truth in the public domain.
Speaking in Port Loko, outgoing SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in stopping the spread of harmful content. He highlighted lessons from Sierra Leone’s recent history, particularly the August 10th unrest in 2022, where the spread of fake news and inciting messages contributed to violence and loss of lives.
“iVerify was launched on April 5, 2023, with support from the UNDP Elections Project to help build trust and confidence in the electoral process and reduce the dangers of disinformation,” Nasralla explained. “As we prepare for the 2028 elections, we must start early in creating awareness and strengthening our resilience as a society against disinformation.”
John Bangura of IRN echoed these sentiments, stressing the vulnerability of media practitioners and citizens alike to false information, especially via social media. He noted that iVerify offers a trusted platform to verify facts and urged participants to tune into the more than 40 partner radio stations across the country broadcasting iVerify-related content.
The reactions from participants were overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing personal experiences and proposing ideas for deeper engagement. In Port Loko, Alusine Kamara, a bike rider, reflected on the deadly consequences of misinformation: “People died in my district because of fake news, especially during August 10. We need more of this kind of education.”
In Makeni, Osman Conteh, another bike rider, noted that while young people often rely on their mobile phones for information, they tend to trust what’s popular or sensational, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
“Bike riders, kekeh riders, and market women are some of the most effective carriers of both information and misinformation,” one participant added. “We need direct sessions for these groups.”
Others called for more accessible ways to interact with the iVerify platform. Suggestions included a toll-free phone line for verifying information, and dedicated WhatsApp groups where members can fact-check claims before spreading them.
For many attendees, the outreach was their first introduction to iVerify. Some had heard of it but didn’t know how to access or use the platform. The sessions, therefore, served as a vital eye-opener and an invitation to become part of the solution.
The iVerify platform, hosted by SLAJ, is part of the broader UNDP-supported project titled “Fostering Peaceful, Credible, and Inclusive Elections in Sierra Leone (2022–2023).” It is dedicated to separating truth from fiction, particularly in politically sensitive or volatile contexts.
The media literacy campaign continues on July 3 in Bo and Kenema and will conclude in Freetown on July 14, 2025. SLAJ hopes the success and strong community feedback from the Northern region will encourage donor partners to invest more in face-to-face, community-level engagements, which complement the technical and media components of the project.
Credit: SLAJ Secretariat
