Further Unleashing Press Freedom in Sierra Leone

The Cotton Tree News (CTN) radio project is a partnership between the University of Sierra Leone’s Mass Communication Department and the Swiss NGO Fondation Hirondelle. During the past the past four years Cotton Tree News has produced six hours of independent news, information and feature programmes every day for broadcast via its many partner radio stations around the country. The University of Sierra Leone and Fondation Hirondelle believe that CTN has made a significant contribution to the diversity of the media in Sierra Leone over this period.

The project was funded by the EU, Germany and Ireland, and before them by DFID and the Government of Switzerland, until 31 January 2011. The present funding perspectives do not allow for the project expansion which the two partners were foreseeing for 2011 and beyond. The University of Sierra Leone and Fondation Hirondelle will jointly pursue their efforts to transform CTN into a nationwide radio and to set up a Centre for Media Excellence at Fourah Bay College.

In the meantime, Fondation Hirondelle and the University of Sierra Leone are doing all they can to get the necessary funding for the next phase. With effect from 1 February 2011 CTN will continue its programming according to its current schedule, pending further negotiations with the donors, under the management of the University of Sierra Leone.

Fondation Hirondelle much appreciates the loyalty and the support of CTN’s cherished listeners and hopes that they will continue to value and appreciate CTN’s programmes under the temporary arrangements.