sierra leone journalists trained on Ebola preparedness
Health officials and media representatives met in Freetown to improve reporting during public health emergencies.
Journalists in Sierra Leone received training on emergency preparedness and responsible reporting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) headquarters in Freetown. The NPHA, working with the Independent Media Commission (IMC), conducted the one-day session to enhance accurate reporting and cooperation during health crises.
NPHA Executive Director Professor Foday Sahr stated that Sierra Leone's preparedness is precautionary, with no current Ebola outbreak, following developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. He reported that the country's overall Ebola preparedness score rose from 51 percent to 83 percent after an October 8 reassessment, with infection control capacity improving to 82 percent and safe burial preparedness reaching 73 percent.
The training aimed to prevent misinformation and improve media coverage of public health emergencies, with IMC Executive Secretary Khalil Kallon presenting guidelines informed by past outbreaks like COVID-19. Professor Sahr urged journalists to verify information and avoid sensationalism, while Kallon stressed professional ethics and protecting vulnerable individuals' privacy.
Why it mattersJournalists in Sierra Leone were trained to report responsibly during potential public health emergencies like Ebola.