By Stephen N. Tokpah
-Bong (freelance)
The president of the Association of Liberia Community Radio (ALICOR), Hector Mulbah, has revealed that the unwarranted interference by county superintendents in the operations of community radio stations sets a dangerous precedence, and if not promptly halted, could tarnish the image of President Boakai’s administration.
Mr. Mulbah said the administration of President Boakai must address the recent assaults on the independence of community radio stations by certain county superintendents, adding, “These officials have assumed unauthorized powers, dissolved community radio boards and dismissed station managers without regard for the sector’s authority or regulations.”
“A notable example occurred in June when the Margibi County Superintendent dissolved the board of Radio Kakata and suspended its manager. However, we are grateful for the swift intervention of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis Nyumalin, in collaboration with ALICOR and Internews, in rectifying the situation,” he added.
Although the suspended station manager was not reinstated through the resolution mechanism, we express our deep concern and emphasize that such a mechanism should not be championed in any future circumstances.
“On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, we were greeted with the disturbing news that the superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, had dissolved the board of Smile FM Community Radio in Zwedru,” he expressed.
The president of the Association of Liberia Community Radio described the unauthorized behavior as a direct assault on the community radio sector with the intent to undermine democratic principles.
For the past two decades, community radio stations have played a pivotal role in the development and empowerment of marginalized and rural communities.
Established as Community-driven initiatives, these stations hold significant importance in economically disadvantaged areas, often marked by high levels of illiteracy and public apathy.
He said despite receiving minimal support, the sector contributed profoundly to Liberia’s transitional processes adding, “We now call on the administration of President Joseph Boakai to maintain the same amicable relationship with the sector as previous administrations. Our international partners are closely observing, ensuring every detail is scrutinized.”
ALICOR’s president said Liberia has long been a nation divided, impoverished, and its citizens disadvantaged, noting that it’s now time to unite in addressing the issues that are holding our nation back, not a time to assert dominance.
Mr. Mulbah, at the same time, has called on the 65 member stations of ALICOR to remain professional and avoid acts incomparable to the doctrine of journalism and the standards of community radio.
He reaffirmed ALICOR members’ unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving the peace while ensuring that rural Liberians have access to reliable public information.
He made the statement in Gbarnga, Bong County, over the weekend when he was sworn for the second term as president along with other members of his team.
Bong County Senator, Prince K. Moye, who served as guest speaker, challenged the new leadership of ALICOR to uphold the tenants of journalism and its standard.
He assured the leadership of ALICOR that the government will not silence the media sector as long as he (Moye) is a senior member of the Boakai and Koung’s government.
The Bong County Senator provided L$ 100, 000 to the new leadership towards their headquarters construction and admonished Liberian Journalists to engage in what he referred to as “high-quality investigative media reporting,” something he said, “has the power to unearth the truths behind the operations of public and private institutions, thereby restoring credibility and trust in the workings of systems.”
He underscored the crucial role the community radio stations and the media play in building a vibrant democracy.
Senator Moye assured ALICOR’s current leadership of the passage of the Community Radio Sustainability Bill that has been tabled at the Legislature for several years.
The Community Radio Sustainability Bill, a regulatory framework, shall serve as a critical instrument to safeguard the independence of community radio stations, protecting them from political and commercial pressures.
The Bill, further calls for an annual budgetary allocation of funds to support community radio stations across the country. This fund will be managed transparently, and with strict oversight to ensure accountability.
The Bong County Senator said the Liberian democratic environment has experienced a degree of serenity over the years due in part to the constructive influence of the free press.
The free press, when independently and responsibly governed, he assured, “Will serve as a catalyst for sustained peace, tranquility and prosperity, while also propelling sustainable national development across various sectors of our country.”
The Liberian media will continue to play a pivotal role in sustaining and maintaining the peace and further use for strengthening the country’s democracy and he admonished, “As journalists, it can be tempting to get caught up in sensational and captivating headlines owing to sentimental imbalances. Journalists should not just be fascinated by the political interest in such things as ‘sensational headlines’, but must as well endeavor to highlight the contributions of ordinary people to nation building.”
The Senator was more instructive in his remarks saying, “If a teacher is giving his utmost best in his call to duty, he probably deserves to be mentioned by the media, if a nurse is consistently providing optimum care for her patients, the media should highlight her work, likewise if a police officer is diligently and noticeably serving in his line of duty, he also deserves honorable mention by the media. For it is by giving attention to these little things that everyone will be motivated to give their best in service to country.”
It is against this backdrop that we have, and will remain supportive of various media endeavors geared towards empowering community radio stations for effective and accurate information gathering, processing and dissemination.
Therefore, “I urge all journalists to always report with high degree of professionalism, bearing in mind that the peacefulness of our country might just depend on the ethical boundaries along which you base your reports,” Senator Moye concluded.
