“Be Aware Of Words And Images Impact On Others” -Media Educator Cautions Journalists

A media educator has challenged staffers at the Kear Humanitarian Foundation, owner of Kear FM 95. 9 to be aware of the impact of their words and images and seek not to use their platform as an instrument of terror for doing harm to others.
He called on them to consider ethical reporting as a foundation of journalism and view the radio as an indispensable tool for strengthening modern democracy by shaping public agenda and forming public opinion.
Mr. David K. Dahn spoke at the opening of a three-media seminar organized by the management of Kear FM at the United Nations Drive in Monrovia on Tuesday, April 08, 2025.
Speaking on the theme, “Understanding Broadcast Journalism”, Dahn premised his lecture on what he calls the core principles of journalism, which he named as truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, humanity, accountability, speed and clarity, ethical consideration and public interest.
He threw a piercing light on truth and accuracy, which he viewed as intricately linked. According to the seminar lecturer, journalists must strive for accuracy at all times and present all relevant facts in a story, ensuring that a piece of information is checked and corroborated.
Touching on the principle of independence within the media context, the Chairman at the Mass Communication Department at the United Methodist University, challenged the journalists to be independent voices who are not acting on behalf of special interest and should remain void of conflicts of interest.
Addressing the role of radio within the Liberian democratic public sphere, Chairman Dahn intimated that the radio should be viewed as an enabler for democracy by educating electorates. According to the media educator, having better educated voters would lead to a more legitimate government, adding, “The radio has given political parties the tools to reach large numbers of people and inform them on key issues ranging from policies to election.”
On the question of journalistic ethics, Mr. Dahn, who also provides editorial services at the Inquirer Newspaper, encouraged broadcast journalists, like all other classes of journalists, to maintain what he refers to as the concept of ethical autonomy. Through this concept, the editor intimated that journalists have the individual right to make their own decisions, free from coercion or undue influence and to act in accordance with their own values and beliefs. He added that journalists should not allow themselves to be swayed by interested parties, especially if they stand to lose or gain by a story, adding “This includes criticism or advice from management staff outside of the profession of journalism.”
He then called on the participants to internalize the core concept of media justice by making maximum use of the power of the media to promote underrepresented communities or minority groups with the ultimate goal of creating a society where diverse perspectives are acknowledged and heard.
Driving home his lecture on the impact of accuracy on public trust, Mr. Dahn reminded staffers of Kear FM that when listeners consume news, they expect it to be accurate and reliable.
He called on the participants to be cautious in their reportorial duty because if journalists, according to him, make mistakes or report inaccurate information, it has the propensity to erode public trust in the media as a whole, adding, “In a time when trust in the media is already at a lower ebb, maintaining accuracy is crucial to rebuild that trust.”