Board Chairperson, Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire stated that participants should consider those that they are representing, Women, Children and youth in the process of executing their respective professional duties. “We want the best for Sierra Leone and we want you to grow in the Sierra Leone that you will be proud of so as journalists keep that in mind.” Dr. Isha mentioned and encouraged AYV journalist to be patriotic and at the same time be apt and tact in the line of duty.
She further admonished AYV journalists to be real and uphold journalism international standards such as truthfulness, honest, accuracy among others, as well as maintaining the massive empowerment that the training tends to offer.
“Please make use of this opportunity it may not come back soon or immediately, AYV is one of the few or only media institution that is not own by media personnel, AYV is a private investment-this is somebody that is passionate about positively transforming the lives young people- that is why we are African Young Voices-the voice of the young generation” Dr. Isha Ibrahim added.
Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) representative Ahmed Sahid Nasralla ascertained that the training could be a boost to the entire staff of the institution, especially in the aspect of understanding international best media practices as he went on to encourage participants to be dedicated in the process of executing their job.
Nasralla pointed out the importance and necessity of the training for journalists, as he said such training normally capacitates journalist to publish/produce quality mediated content, adding that SLAJ was hoping to have an interaction with Joseph Warungu in a process of experience sharing, owing to the fact that Warungu have twenty years and more experience in the media world. He furthered that the doors of SLAJ are always open to support such training that fostered facelift to media content.
General Manager Africa Young Voices, Angela Angwenyi expressed excitement over the two days training, while pointing out the necessity of the training as she stated that the country’s elections is fast approaching. Angela submitted that the training would be the guide AYV staff takes into consideration while reporting in the elections and other crucial issues, adding that election reportage happened to be crucial and critical for journalist in any country.
Guest Speaker at the opening day of the training, Outreach Coordinator in the Office of the Government Spokesman Ajibu Tejan Jalloh affirmed that it is the responsibility of the government to provide the enabling environment in ensuring that people exhibit their God giving talent into something positive, he stated that the Government has created that space, as the owner of AYV has taken advantage of that by establishing a media house.
Ajibu Tejan Jalloh mentioned that the staffs are the most important tool that the institution has and that without the staff knowledge AYV will go nowhere, as he further implored staffs to take the training very seriously as it would help capacitates them.
The trainer, a former BBC editor Joseph Warungu said AYV happened to be the youngest station he has ever trained and the best equipped media institution he has been to in Africa. Joseph Warungu added that it was not just about training, as he shared his experience to journalists and encouraged them to be a patriot and take ownership of the Africa Continent.
