The newly elected leadership of the Legislative Press Pool (LEGISPOOL) is calling on the heads of auxiliaries of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to initiate dialogues aimed at ending the longstanding leadership crisis within the mother body of all media groupings across the country – the Press Union of Liberia.
“We cannot stand here today and only talk about LEGISPOOL without mentioning the Press Union of Liberia, the mother organization that gives birth to all auxiliaries. It is no secret that the PUL is in a crisis, a crisis that came as a result of power struggle,” Koinyeneh said.
He encouraged the heads of the Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL), Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), Executive Mansion Press Corps, Association of Judicial Reporters, Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) and LEGISPOOL to do all they can to resolve the PUL’s crisis.
He wants the auxiliaries to take the lead and engage all parties to sit at the table to begin a conversation that aims at finding a genuine solution to the internal struggle, adding that the bitterness of the union will extend to its auxiliaries if nothing is done to remedy the situation.
He made the statement at his induction as president of LEGISPOOL. Those inducted were: Gerald C. Koinyeneh as President, Jackson C. Clay as Vice President, Blamo N. Toe, Secretary General and Bill W. Cooper as Assistant Secretary General.
On August 25, 2023, members of LEGISPOOL – an umbrella body of all professional journalists covering the Liberian Legislature held their elective congress during the 54th Legislature and unanimously elected a new corps of officers to steer the affairs of the institution for the next two years.
The former President of LEGISPOOL, however admonished the Koinyeneh-Clay administration to not misuse the entrusted power given by fellow members, but ensure that the interest of the entire group is prioritized by seeking opportunities within and out of the Capitol Building.
Marked by many speeches, commitment and contributions to the new leadership during the fundraising, the ceremony was graced by veterans of the media, heads of the various auxiliaries and the two Directors of Press Departments of the National Legislature.
the Director of Press of the House of Representatives, who administered the oath of office for the elected officials, challenged the Koinyeneh administration to tackle unprofessionalism and take a stand against non-accredited journalists evading the grounds of the Capitol Building to harass newsmakers.
Mr. Robert Haynes called on the officials to be more ethical and professional in the discharge of their duties.
For his part, the Director of Press of the Liberian Senate, Mr. Alfred Z. Johnson pledged the full cooperation of his office with the LEGISPOOL leadership in conducting refresher training for members on legislative reporting.
Willie Tokpah, the President of the RAL congratulated the team and pledged RAL’s support to the new leadership. Also, attendance include SWAL’s vice president, Christopher Walker, Yassah Wright, President of the Judicial Reporters Network and Chairperson of the E-Mansion Press Corps, among others.
