Tweah Ordered To Pay Media Institutions …As PUL New Officials Take Office

The Minister of Finance, Development & Planning, Mr. Samuel Tweh has announced the payments of debts owed to all media institutions by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance.
Tweh made the remark at the induction ceremony of the new leadership of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) on Friday, December 20, 2019 held in Congo Town at the Ministerial Complex
The Finance Minister said he has been instructed by President George M. Weah to liquidate all debts owed by the Government of Liberia to media houses in respect of their aid. “We invite all media houses to submit their request to the Ministry of Finance beginning Monday,” he added
Minister Tweh pointed out that the government recently brought in a team of experts of media practitioners to explain some important government programs to include the International Monitoring Fund (IMF) program to the Liberian people.
According to him the government embraces a new partnership with media institutions and the government will work cordially with media institutions to tell the rich stories of transformation by this government.
He said the government will work better with media houses to ensure that those good stories about the new transformation in government are published for the public to know what is obtaining in government.
“We look forward to working with you to build a powerful democratically productive and peaceful enhancing national media,” among other things he stated.
Speaking further on the issue of corruption, he said the government is looking forward to strengthen corruption by establishing a special court for corruption to fast track corruption cases, to reform the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission law (LACC) and give them prosecutorial power.
He said they are working to improve the business climate, something he said that President Weah has selected that the government works along with the Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia, Francis S. Korkpor Sr. to re-launch the annual judicial conference and beg the business climate as a key feature of such conference.
Tweh indicated that, business and banks look to the court for judgment that affects their financial bottom line or their ability to expand credits.
He hailed President Weah for decriminalizing free speech and warned citizens against the misuse of free speech against the President, noting that this time around it will be a Civil offense instead of a Criminal offense.
Meanwhile, Mr. Charles Coffey, now elected to run the affairs of the Union for the next three years appreciated his supporters for his victory. He called on all journalists to report professionally in playing a vital role to maintain the peace and stability of our country.
Coffey vowed to resist journalists that are involved with blackmailing; something he said is bringing the Press Union into public ridicule.