Seventeen social media influencers and bloggers in Sierra Leone have received training from BBC Media Action on how to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
The training, which was conducted in Makeni, was part of a project funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Independent Radio Network (IRN), and BBC Media Action Sierra Leone.
Marian Tina Conteh, one of the trainers, explained that the training was prompted by research conducted by the Media Reform Coordination Group (MRCG), which found that influencers play a significant role in spreading information. The aim of the training was to encourage influencers to be mindful and cross-check the information they share, particularly in the run-up to elections when false information can lead to conflict. BBC Media Action will monitor the bloggers going forward.
