His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic Liberia
Senator Darius Dillion, Chairman, Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Cultural Affairs and Tourism
Hon. Jerolinmek Mathew Piah, Minister, Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism
Hon. Samuel A. Stevqoah, Acting Minister, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs
Our Venerable Media Elders and Leaders
Media Executives and Fellow Colleagues of the Media community
Ladies and Gentlemen
Acknowledgement
It is with profound gratitude and a deep sense of honor I stand before you as President of the Press Union of Liberia tonight at this first Presidential Media Dinner, hosted by the Administration of His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia.
The Dinner presents an opportunity for the President of Liberia and the media to meet in a face-to-face interaction intended to discuss issues of mutual importance in the interest of our dear country, Liberia.
The PUL applauds President Boakai for availing himself to the media community, and commends the organizers. We look forward to more of such engagements.
Few Media and Societal Challenges
Mr. President, permit us to draw your attention to a few issues confronting the media community in Liberia and the country in general.
While we recognized that Liberia has made significant progress in respecting press freedom and free speech, the media remains severely challenged, both in terms of human and financial resources.
Advertising revenues have significantly fallen, affecting the operations of media entities, the quality of journalism, and crucially the welfare and conditions of work of journalists and media workers, whose take home pay, if available, cannot take them home, in most instances.
Existing advertisers such as the government, in addition to reducing the level of advertising, remain hugely in debt to media entities, thereby undermining the operational capability and viability of the media to sustain the costs of production.
The near-total departure of USAID, especially its media development intervention, has created a very big vacuum, impacting the capacity building and institutional strengthening of the media across Liberia. We hope the government can assume some of those shocks.
Mr. President, Community Radio Stations—vital sources of information in our counties—are increasingly facing interference from some County Superintendents. This undermines their independence and jeopardizes their ability to serve our communities effectively. We urge your administration to protect these broadcasters and uphold their right to operate free from political interference or influence.
Moreover, transforming the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) into a true public service broadcaster is essential. LBS should epitomize accountability, serving not just the government’s interests but also the diverse voices of all Liberians. This shift is crucial for fostering an informed citizenry and enhancing democratic participation.
Our administration at the PUL has a vision to restore and enhance the integrity and credibility of the institution of journalism and media. To do so, requires a concerted effort, working with your administration in upholding press freedom and free speech and expression.
Finally, Mr President, if there is anything your government must not compromise is the issue of the rule of law. Respect for and adherence to the rule of law is essentially critical to keeping the peace and enhancing the development of our country. Let’s respect the rule of law and let’s use the rule of law to fight corruption.
As I take my seat, His Excellency, permit me to rephrase your wisdom. It is time: We Think the Media. Love the Media. And Build the Media.
Thank you!
