Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Information Integrity
Praia, Cabo Verde – September 5, 2025.
The Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting information integrity, media freedom, and inclusive access to public interest data at the Regional Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from September 3 to 5, 2025.
Led by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), Sierra Leone participated alongside over 20 delegations comprising ministers, regulators, civil society leaders, and digital platform representatives, to address the growing threats of disinformation, hate speech, and information manipulation across the region.
Speaking during the high-level plenary on “Safeguarding Information Integrity During Conflict, Crisis, and Elections,” Sierra Leone’s representative, Mr. Emmanuel Abubakar Benoni Turay, emphasised the country’s progress in institutional reforms, media development, and the establishment of a government fact-checking unit. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s leadership in aligning national policy with the Model Policy for Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, adopted during the conference.
“Sierra Leone stands firm in its belief that access to credible information is a cornerstone of democracy and peace. We are proud to contribute to regional efforts that uphold transparency, accountability, and human rights in the digital age,” said Mr. Turay.
The conference featured thematic panels on emerging technologies, electoral integrity, media literacy, and regulatory innovation. Sierra Leone’s delegation actively participated in the validation of the Praia Action Plan, which outlines priority actions for regional cooperation, capacity building, and sustainable financing of information integrity initiatives.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education extended its appreciation to the Government of Cabo Verde, UNESCO, ECOWAS, and all partners for convening this timely and transformative dialogue. Sierra Leone remains committed to implementing the outcomes of the conference and strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement for a resilient and inclusive information ecosystem.
For further information, please contact:
Director of Government Information Services
Ministry of Information and Civic Education