Research Summary. Sierra Leone: A National Conversation
BBC Media Action produces national debate programmes to facilitate discussion and accountability between citizens and leaders
Abstract
In Sierra Leone, BBC Media Action produces the discussion programme Fo Rod (Crossroads) and the national debate programme Tok Bot Salone (Talk About Sierra Leone). Both programmes aim to facilitate discussion and accountability between citizens and leaders. Fo Rod does this by presenting a discussion on topical issues with government officials while Tok Bot Salone enables ordinary people to question government officials and civil society leaders on air. In a recent round of audience research, participants said the programmes: educated them on issues they were previously unaware of; alerted them to the successes and failures of government service provision; and provided a forum for the government to gain ideas and recommendations from citizens on significant national matters. However, responses to the programme varied according to the perceived quality of answers provided by the officials appearing on the shows. Participants said not all panellists were appropriate for the topic discussed and several often failed to answer questions properly.
Citation
BBC Media Action. Research Summary. Sierra Leone: A National Conversation. BBC Media Action, UK (2013) 2 pp.