AYV News May 18, 2023

The leading telecommunications operator in Sierra Leone, Africell Mobile Company has donated Mifi’s to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to help combat disinformation and misinformation.

This will also go a long way in undertaking fact-checking in Sierra Leone.

John Konteh, Africell’s Communications and Media Director said Africell is always pleased to provide support to SLAJ.

He added that the Mifi will assist in combating disinformation and misinformation, noting further that SLAJ has built its credibility over the years, and people trust SLAJ for providing accurate information to them.

He said the Mifis will provide connectivity through loaded unlimited data inside the Mifi, assuring that Africell will always support SLAJ as it has been doing because the media is a key component in nation-building.

Christian Conteh, Project Officer of SLAJ said combating disinformation and misinformation in Sierra Leone’s electoral cycle is very important.

He said SLAJ in partnership with National Democratic Initiative (NDI) have come together to do fact-checking and pre-debunking misinformation and disinformation before, during and after the June 2023 elections.

He said they have Fact-checkers and regional coordinators all over the country, adding that they approached Africell for intervention in the project and their requests were granted.

He concluded by thanking Africell and its management for the support.