In a stirring address during the First Presidential Media Dinner, the president of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Julius Kanubah, shed light on the dire challenges facing the country’s media sector and called on the Liberian government to provide greater support and protection for press freedom.
The event hosted by President Joseph Boakai at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, aimed to promote open dialogue and strengthen cooperation between the government and the media in the interest of national development.
“It is with profound gratitude and a deep sense of honor I stand before you as president of the Press Union of Liberia tonight,” Kanubah began, emphasizing the importance of the forum for bridging the gap between the media and the Executive Branch.
While the evening celebrated collaboration, Kanubah didn’t shy away from addressing critical issues plaguing the media industry.
Chief among them was the sector’s growing financial instability. “Media entities are struggling to survive. Journalists’ take-home pay, if available, cannot take them home in most instances,” he lamented.
He pointed to falling advertising revenues and operational difficulties that have not only threatened the survival of media institutions but also diminished journalistic quality and compromised the welfare of workers in the industry.
Kanubah also expressed concern over the departure of USAID’s longstanding media development support, describing it as a major blow to capacity building and institutional strengthening.
He urged the Boakai’s administration to step in and help fill the vacuum left behind. “We hope the government can assume some of those shocks,” he said.
Another pressing issue raised was the political interference reportedly being faced by community radio stations from some county superintendents.
“This undermines their independence and jeopardizes their ability to serve our communities effectively,” Kanubah warned, urging the government to protect these local broadcasters from undue influence.
He further called for a transformation of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) into a genuine public service broadcaster.
According to Kanubah, the LBS must serve all Liberians equally, rather than functioning as a state-run outlet.
“LBS should epitomize accountability, serving not just the government’s interests but also the diverse voices of all Liberians,” he emphasized.
Reaffirming his administration’s vision for the Press Union, Kanubah spoke of efforts to restore and elevate the integrity and professionalism of journalism in Liberia.
“Our administration at the PUL has a vision to restore and enhance the integrity and credibility of journalism in Liberia,” he stated, pledging to collaborate with the government to safeguard freedom of the press and expression.
Kanubah closed with a passionate appeal for the rule of law to be upheld without compromise. “If there is anything your government must not compromise, it is the issue of the rule of law,” he stressed. “Let’s respect the rule of law and use it to fight corruption.”
Echoing President Boakai’s own aphorism of unity and national renewal, Kanubah sent out a rallying call saying “It is time: We Think the Media. Love the Media. And Build the Media.”
The Presidential Media Dinner marked a significant milestone in media-government relations, signaling a hopeful shift toward a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable democracy in Liberia.
