The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has called for immediate presidential intervention to address the escalating crisis at the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
Both employees and the Senior Management Team have described the work environment as increasingly toxic.
The PUL warned that if President Boakai does not act swiftly to resolve the situation, the crisis could worsen, potentially disrupting or shutting down LBS operations in the near future.
After a week-long investigation and mediation efforts, the PUL concluded that the crisis stems from severe administrative failures, marked by a lack of transparency, accountability, and inclusive management practices.
At the center of the controversy is LBS Director General Eugene Fahngon, whose unilateral decisions reportedly ignore consultations with the Senior Management Team and the Workers Union.
The PUL has also condemned Fahngon’s dismissal of LBS Workers Union president Joseph Sayon.
Sayon had been advocating for workers’ rights, including restoring employee benefits, and opposing what the union described as Fahngon’s “managerial authoritarianism.”
The PUL deems Sayon’s dismissal a violation of the Liberian Constitution and labor laws, which protect workers from retaliatory actions such as suspension or termination for union advocacy.
The organization has demanded that Fahngon reinstate Sayon, halt intimidation of journalists and employees, and adopt a more inclusive leadership approach—or face removal from office.
To ensure workers’ rights are upheld, the PUL is pursuing legal action and engaging the LBS Board of Directors and the Legislature. It also stresses the importance of transforming LBS into an independent public service broadcaster. This would require management to be selected through a merit-based system, emphasizing accountability, impartiality, and public interest.
Despite Liberia’s transition to democratic governance, LBS operations remain guided by Military Decree #20 of the People’s Redemption Council.
According to the PUL, Fahngon has reportedly used this decree to justify his controversial actions, sidelining three of the six deputies appointed by President Boakai.
The PUL insists that these outdated practices must end to ensure LBS operates as a true public broadcaster, free from undue influence and managerial incompetence.
However, Fahngon who went live Saturday afternoon in the compound of the LBS bragging and alluding all the achievements at the state-owned entity to himself described the PUL as illegitimate.
Apparently unaware that the LBS and its workers are all members of the PUL, he went on discrediting the PUL leadership and sounded that the PUL is lazy and useless adding, “I am sorry that I entertained your here. You can’t talk nonsense to the state broadcaster. The LBS is older than it and they must show some respect.”
