The Chairman and Information Commissioner

Right To Access Information Commission (RAIC)

Kroo Town Road,

Freetown,

Sierra Leone.

Dear Sir,

Subject: Invitation to the Launch of the National Fund for Public Interest Media (NAFPIM)

On behalf of the Multi-Stakeholders Board of the National Fund for Public Interest Media (NaFPIM), I am writing to invite you to the launch of the Fund, scheduled for 20 March 2025, at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown at 9:00 a.m. The theme for the launch is Public Interest Media as a Pillar of Good Governance, Democracy and Accountability.

NaFPIM was established in June 2023 to support public-interest journalism in Sierra Leone by providing grants to media outlets that demonstrate a commitment to independent and impartial content. This initiative stems from the National Action Plan for Media Viability, which calls for a national fund for public-interest media.

The Fund aims to address the economic challenges faced by media houses, ensure that Sierra Leoneans have access to content free from undue influence, and enhance civic participation. Following engagements with key stakeholders and with support from the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) and BBC Media Action, the MRCG and the Multi-Stakeholder Board are now prepared to launch the grant phase and commence processing applications from media houses.

We would be honoured if you would attend the launch.

Warm regards,

Francis Sowa (Ph.D., Esq.),

Programs Manager-NaFPIM.

145 Circular Road, Freetown ▪Email: infor@mrcgonline.org, fsowa2007@yahoo.com   ▪ Tel: +23276224684