Uncovering untold stories in Sierra Leone

Mining makes up the backbone of the economy in Sierra Leone. The large and small scale extraction of iron, diamonds and gold is the livelihood of many Sierra Leoneans.

But it leaves scars on the land and its people, hidden problems which take lives, destroy families and perpetuate a cycle of poverty.

Working to change this are Mabinty, Davida and Benedict - three young journalists working in Freetown and Makeni, two of Sierra Leone’s biggest cities. Their investigations into the industry have been funded by BBC Media Action, and the training they received from our mentors strengthened their investigative, research and fact-checking skills, enabling them to amplify the voices of those who need to be heard.

BBC Media Action trained 30 journalists under the GIZ project in Sierra Leone and funded 15 in-depth investigations into the environmental and human toll of artisanal mining, shining a light on truths that those in power would prefer stay buried.

Davida, Mabinty and Benedict’s investigations reveal buried stories - communities grieving the unrecorded deaths of family members in mine collapses, parents praying that one day their children can go to school rather than work in the mines, and women who have been raped and assaulted at work who are hoping for a brighter future.

Their journalism shows how media is the first step to enabling change - shining a light on hidden injustices, amplifying silenced voices and transforming lives. The power of impartial, trusted journalism provides a foundation for open discussion and societal change.