SFCG Co-Hosts Expert Panel on Africa Community Media

By Sophien Ben-Achour

SFCG and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) recently co-sponsored a discussion titled, “Community Media in West Africa”. Hosted at the Woodrow Wilson Center on Nov. 13, the event featured an impressive panel of journalism and media experts including: Ambrose James, SFCG Country Director for Sierra Leone; Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu  journalist of a Congolese radio station and founder of the South Kivu’s Association of Women Journalists; and David Ottaway, Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center and retired journalist of the Washington Post.

Guided by moderator Jerri Eddings, ICFJ Program Director, the panelists detailed their inspiring work and sparked an insightful discussion.

Ambrose and Chouchou shared their unique and innovative methods of using media to mitigate issues of conflict and sexual violence in their respective countries.  Ambrose explained the power of community radio as a peacebuiliding tool for both rural and urban populations throughout West Africa.

Referencing the Independent Radio Network (IRN), SFCG’s long time partner in Sierra Leone as a prime example, she spoke on the vital role of community radio stations to provide reliable information about social issues to isolated and vulnerable populations. Learn more on the IRN from this informational video:

This is an invaluable asset for societies once plagued by violent conflict, which is often sparked and/or exacerbated by rumors and propaganda spread through dishonest media.

Chouchou spoke of her efforts to raise awareness on the increasingly dangerous and pertinent issue of sexual violence, which continues to threaten women throughout the eastern DRC. Members of her association help victims of sexual violence (an all too common reality in their war torn communities) heal their mental and emotional wounds through dialogue.

Watch full video coverage of the event here. For more information about SFCG’s work with the IRN visit our Sierra Leone website.