License Journalists In Liberia –Says Journalist Haynes

A Liberian Journalist is calling for the licensing of Journalists to practice in Liberia.
According to Robert Haynes, Journalism is not an occupation rather it is a profession which requires ethics and as such people should be license to practice.
He said if nurses, doctors and lawyers are license to practice in Liberia why not Journalists.
Mr. Haynes stressed that those who favor some kind of license or pre-requisite to become a journalist underscore the social relevance and sensitiveness of this job in order to fulfill another fundamental right of every citizen – the right to information (to a truthful, independent, accurate and comprehensive information on the actuality). And, because of that, they stress the importance of having well-prepared, professionalized, ethically responsible and accountable people working as journalists, in order to properly meet such a demanding right.
Haynes, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of Liberia, earned several professional papers from the People’s Republic of China and parts of Africa. He has practice over ten (10) years in different roles, ranging from Cup Reporter, Reporter, Editor, Director of News among others.
The Liberian Journalist said in the absence of license there are several others who jump in the profession and denigrating it by their reportage and worst of all some get involve heavily in blackmailing only because they have access to a microphone or a news outlet; something he said is counterproductive to the Journalism profession.
He wants well-prepared, professionalized, ethically responsible and accountable people working as journalists in Liberia, in order to properly meet such a demanding right.
“Graduating with a Bachelor degree or Associate does not make you a Journalist- you should be certified by the Press Union either via test to make you qualify to practice, just like graduating from a law school does not make one a lawyer but have to sit the Bar test and pass before been licensed to practice law in Liberia”. Haynes averred.
When Journalists are licensed and refused to live within the ethics their licenses will be revoked so as Nurses or Doctors as well as lawyers.
The young Liberian media practitioner said very recently the Liberia Revenue Authority and the Liberia National Bar Association signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for collaboration on the payment of license fees by lawyers.
Under the Mou, lawyers will have to pay their licenses fees to the LRA and submit genuine receipts to the LNBA before they are licensed legally to practice law in the country; something he wants to be done with Journalists in the Country so as to avoid the too much of unethical practices.
Haynes said in as much as it is welcoming to have many people in the profession, it is also prudent to scrutinize them properly. He underscored the importance of the Journalism profession and indicated that the licensing of Journalists before practicing will ensure a high level of professionalism and will guarantees that only the right people will practice Journalism in the country.