Liberia

Transitional Justice

SFCG has played an integral role in Liberia's transition to peace by facilitating dialogue about the country's major initiatives aimed at achieving justice and reconciliation. SFCG is accomplishing this through radio programming, informed by audience research, promoting inclusiveness and understanding of transitional justice issues.

Transitional Justice Survey

A household survey, carried out in June 2007 in partnership with the BBC World Service Trust, explored the levels of knowledge and attitudes surrounding transitional justice issues in the wake of the civil conflict that ended in 2003. The survey was based on a random sample of 1,600 adults (18-59 year olds) in eight counties in Liberia. Link to BBC press release.

Charles Taylor Trial

SFCG has developed a project to facilitate local dialogue around the trial of former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, addressing the heated opinions and questions that typically come from such an important event. This is primarily being done through the production and broadcast of Taylor Trial – a thirty-minute magazine produced with support from BBC World Service Trust. With one correspondent reporting from The Hague and one in Monrovia, this program keeps the Liberian populace up-to-date on the trial of the former president and gathers local opinion and feedback about the trial.

Action Research

Research is a crucial component of SFCG's media support strategy in Liberia. This research has been geared toward improving understanding about the types of information Liberians have access too and ultimately fostering links between policy makers and civil society including radio broadcasters to improve access to information and channels for dissemination.

Civil Society Survey

With financial assistance from the U.K's Department for International Development (DFID), SFCG commissioned a study of civil society in Liberia to assess their institutional capacity and effectiveness. The study establishes a knowledge base on Liberian civil society organizations and the current dynamics that are affecting their impact and effectiveness with the goal of improving future partnerships, not only for SFCG's interventions but also all organizations and professionals working with Liberian civil society organizations.

Media Sector Mapping

Over a five month period in 2007, with support from the British Department for International Development (DFID) and the Government of Finland, SFCG carried out a mapping of the media sector in Liberia examining specific information channels related to two dominant policy frameworks: the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (iPRS) and the Youth Policy. The research was national in scope and encompassed all media channels: radio, print and television. A number of methods were employed to understand how individuals and communities are receiving public information and what they know about iPRS and the Youth Policy. Click here to see the full key findings of the Liberia Media Mapping Survey.

Conflict Assessment

Prior to the October 2005 elections there was significant concern about the overall country response to the election outcome and the possibility of conflict arising again. In an effort to assess key issues and the risk of related conflict, as well as concerns about violence related to the elections, SFCG, with the support of UNDP, conducted a Risk and Conflict Assessment across Liberia. Assessment tools included focus groups and surveys, with questions focused on the perceptions of the upcoming elections, respondents' access to information, the current effectiveness of the law, and possible triggers of further conflict. The assessment targeted a diverse geographical sampling specifically drawn from conflict-prone areas around the country. Participants represented various age groups and social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds and included teachers, market vendors, IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), students, and ex-combatants. Click here to see the key findings from the Liberia conflict assessment.