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Official programme prospectus
Community Journalism & Communication
Reporting, storytelling and responsible communication for community media and organisations.
- Duration
- 3 months / about 12 weeks
- Fee
- SLE 2,500
- Delivery
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Level
- Foundation
SLIHSD · Community Journalism & Communication · Programme prospectus
1. About SLIHSD
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development is a developing professional education, training and capacity-development institute focused on practical, accessible learning for humanitarian, community and sustainable-development practice.
2. Why this programme?
Reporting, storytelling and responsible communication for community media and organisations. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
3. Programme at a glance
- Category
- Media & Communication
- Level
- Foundation
- Duration
- 3 months (about 12 weeks)
- Study modes
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Indicative programme fee
- SLE 2,500
- Registration fee
- SLE 100
- Location
- Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone
- Application deadline
- 31 March 2026
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
4. Target audience
- • Humanitarian, development, resilience and community practitioners.
- • Government, NGO and volunteer personnel whose roles relate to this programme area.
- • School leavers, graduates and working adults seeking practical professional development.
5. Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
6. Learning outcomes
- • Research and write an accurate community story
- • Produce a short audio or video report
- • Apply media ethics and safety practice
7. Course structure and modules
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | News values, ethics and accuracy |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Interviewing and community storytelling |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Writing for radio, print and online |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Mobile photography, audio and video basics |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Misinformation, safety and community accountability |
8. Detailed module breakdown
1. News values, ethics and accuracy (Weeks 1–2)
Study news values, ethics and accuracy in the context of media & Communication, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within news values, ethics and accuracy
- • Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- • Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying news values, ethics and accuracy to a realistic setting.
2. Interviewing and community storytelling (Weeks 3–4)
Build audience-aware and ethical practice in interviewing and community storytelling, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
- • Audience, purpose and ethical practice in interviewing and community storytelling
- • Message, content or participation methods
- • Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for interviewing and community storytelling.
3. Writing for radio, print and online (Weeks 5–6)
Build audience-aware and ethical practice in writing for radio, print and online, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
- • Audience, purpose and ethical practice in writing for radio, print and online
- • Message, content or participation methods
- • Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for writing for radio, print and online.
4. Mobile photography, audio and video basics (Weeks 7–8)
Study mobile photography, audio and video basics in the context of media & Communication, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within mobile photography, audio and video basics
- • Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- • Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying mobile photography, audio and video basics to a realistic setting.
5. Misinformation, safety and community accountability (Weeks 9–12)
Apply misinformation, safety and community accountability through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
- • Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within misinformation, safety and community accountability
- • Prevention, control and response measures
- • Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for misinformation, safety and community accountability.
9. Practical project / portfolio
Produce a published-quality community story package.
10. Teaching & learning approach
- • Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- • Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- • Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- • Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
11. Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Produce a published-quality community story package.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
12. Career & professional pathways
- • Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to media & Communication.
- • Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- • Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
13. Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
14. Fees & enrolment
Indicative programme fee for this course is SLE 2,500, plus a one-off registration fee of SLE 100. Final fees and any instalment arrangement are confirmed with you in writing before you commit.
| Course length | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| 1 month short courses | SLE 150 – 750 |
| 1–3 months | SLE 2,500 |
| 3–6 months | SLE 3,500 |
| 6–18 months | SLE 5,000 |
15. Quality, recognition & regulatory notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
16. Contact & application
Learn. Build skills. Make a difference.
Apply online at slihsd.org/admissions, message us on WhatsApp +232 73655013, call +232 73655013, or email info@slihsd.org.
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development (SLIHSD) · Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone · WhatsApp Business +232 73655013 · info@slihsd.org · slihsd.org
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Certificates issued reflect completion of SLIHSD short courses and are not presented as accredited academic awards.