The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has hosted its annual awards thereby admitting Inquirer’s Managing Editor, Philip N. Wesseh among several other veteran journalists into its Hall of Fame.
Those admitted into the Hall of Fame were Mr. Kenneth Best; Phillip Wesseh; Elizabeth Hoff; Dr. C. William Allen and Rev. Suah Deddeh.
Mr. Frank Sainworla was awarded PUL’a Lifetime Achiever’s Award after which he was also admitted into the Hall of Fame and the Journalist of the Year Award was given to Lennart Dodoo while his Frontpage Africa won the Best Newspaper of the Year.
The Best Radio Station of the Year was then given to Okay FM and its Manager; Clarence Jackson won the Public Finance Management Talk-Show Host Award.
Atty Wesseh, commonly known by media folks as the ‘Gina’ was joined the press team at the D. Twe High School in New Kru Town with a determination driven by his passion to report the news and influence national debates at a tender age.
Atty Wesseh represents, a new age of journalism in Liberia, especially in a post war nation so in need of responsible voices because his style of journalism has always been marked by pragmatism and honesty.
The award was present to ailing journalist Wesseh under whose guidance the institution also had a singular distinction of being Liberia’s oldest post war daily and since January 15, 1991, he would refuse to go away or allow nothing hinder him from informing the public.
Mr. Wesseh is also known by his favorite quote when concluding a feature, “I rest my case.”
Meanwhile, the PUL prexy, Charles Coffey, said freedom of the press is the lifeblood that makes democracies vibrant and maintained that a free press is needed to report the news and to serve as a platform for the robust exchange of ideas and debate.
“Unrestricted dialogue is the only way to forge a national consensus on Liberia’s future as it relates to the pending electoral process and at this critical point in our history,” he added.
He also called on the media authorities to redouble their efforts to ensure that journalists perform their responsibilities in a safe, protected environment.
“I urge all sectors of society to support the nation’s media organizations in their quest for economic viability. Modalities are being concluded for the establishment of Independent Media Commission, which goal is to promote free, independent and responsible media so as to sustain democracy and national development,” he emphasized.
He furthered that throughout the nation’s history, hundreds of Liberian journalists have experienced some forms of attacks either physical or psychological while doing their jobs to keep the Liberian public abreast on important matters affecting the country adding, “These journalists and media workers do not only deserve our thanks and appreciation, they deserve a lasting acknowledgement of their sacrifices.”
He revealed that that is why the PUL is working with its partners including USAID/ Internews to invest in the capacity of Liberian journalists and stressed that the Liberian constitution guaranteed freedom of expression and of the press, being the sole responsibility for the abuse thereof.”
“It is easier to get journalists to censor themselves than it is to send security personnel to a newsroom to kill an article. For journalists to avoid self-censorship there should always keep courage and pursued critical stories for the good of Liberia. Liberia faces momentous decisions about its future, as we move to the 2023 presidential and general elections,” he explained.
He then said media self-regulation is the best possible means through which media professionals set up and abide by voluntary editorial guidelines and recognized the roles editors play in their various newsrooms to ensure that Liberia is safe.
Sports Reporter Award was presented to Anthony Koikoi; Health Reporter; Aria Deemie; Environment Reporter, Forgbe Emma Kloh; Human Rights, Henry B. Gboluma Jr.; Land Rights, Varney Dukuly; Female Genital Mutilation, Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh and Newscaster of the Year, T. Wholquoi Yeahgar while the posthumous awards were presented to the late Stanton Peabody; Edward Wilmot Blyden; James Wolo and Kamara Abdullai Kamara respectively.
