Further Unleashing Press Freedom in Sierra Leone

 
$355
$249,645
Raised
Remaining

Summary

Cotton Tree News (CTN) provides professional daily news and information to all Sierra Leoneans while trainings student journalists at renovated broadcasting studios at the University of Sierra Leone.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Since it went on air in 2007 to accompany national elections, CTN has struck a chord with Sierra Leoneans nationwide. The CTN project has provided ongoing reliable coverage of issues relating to justice, education, human rights, rural development, health, gender-based violence and agriculture, among many others. CTN has bridged the information gap between Freetown and the provinces, giving people access to the information they need. At the same time, the CTN project trains student journalists.

How will this project solve this problem?

CTN serves as a model for public service broadcasting in Sierra Leone. CTN’s team of young journalists and student volunteers work to produce high quality news and features programming as they receive daily mentoring and focused training.

Potential Long Term Impact

CTN promotes democracy and good governance by contributing to improved professionalism of media in Sierra Leone. CTN aims to create a new breed of Sierra Leonean journalists and media practitioners.

Project Message

Most Sierra Leoneans live in extreme poverty. Radio remains a very powerful medium. CTN is highly revered as a source of balanced and impartial news and information available to all Sierra Leoneans.
- Bernadette Cole, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Sierra

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $355
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $249,645
Total Funding Goal: $250,000

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

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Organization

Fondation Hirondelle
Fondation Hirondelle

Lausanne, N/A, Switzerland
http://www.hirondelle.org

Project Leader

Sharon Bylenga

Staff member
Lausanne, VD Switzerland

Where is this project located?

Map of Further Unleashing Press Freedom in Sierra Leone