Identity

OM!SA Sierra Leone is an independent public interest media, communication literacy and social development charity with a national character, grassroots orientation and international focus, dedicated to the positive and innovative use of traditional media and telecommunications technology to secure a peaceful, just and enlightened society particularly for children and young people in deprived communities.

Vision

Om!sA envisions an open, vibrant and secure information society that nurtures and safeguards human rights and democratic culture in which everyone, without discrimination of any kind, has the freedom and privilege to responsibly exercise his/her communication rights and freedoms.

Mission

In compliance with Section 25 of the National Constitution, 1991:

Om!sA seeks to help create equitable access to the mass media and digital technology resources and services in schools and other underprivileged communities in Sierra Leone, by endeavoring to make the most of these resources to advance communication values, energize youth activism and enhance social reforms through rights-based approaches.

Om!sA’s work addresses critical challenges facing marginalized and other disadvantaged groups in the social communication process, for smoother national and international integration through preventive education, focused research, information networking, capacity building, strategic partnership, community empowerment and affirmative action.

Aim

Om!sA aims to create a fair, vibrant and truly democratic information, education and communication society particularly for children and young people in especially difficult circumstances, and other vulnerable and disempowered groups.

Objectives

To foster greater public awareness of and respect for media values, and help strengthen the independence and social responsibility of the local media;

To facilitate sustained coordination between development partners, local activists and the press in the promotion of public education and advocacy drives;

To enable and support schools and civil society organisations to get on-line, network and benefit from interactive education and e-advocacy projects;

To empower children, youth and other vulnerable groups to develop innovative and responsible means of interaction, creative expressions and edutainment;

To strengthen the public voice of the disadvantaged groups in society in order to create a common platform for effective action around their cause;

To secure public support, raise and mobilize resources for the realization, strengthening and sustenance of the policies and programmes of Om!sA.