PHOTO: Mrs. Cecelia Clarke, RAL President
As Journalists Observe this year’s World Press Freedom Day, the Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL) is calling on all State Actors, Governments across the world and individuals to treat Journalists with dignity and respect.
Official celebration marking WPFD on Monday, May 3, 2021 was held in Liberia’s southeastern city of Barclayville, Grand Kru County as part of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) decentralization of its activities.
A press release from RAL signed by its Secretary General, Mark Mengonfia says those who practice Journalism do it with the intention of providing services to their society.
And as such, the largest auxiliary of the Press Union of Liberia says, they need to be given due respect like any other member of any given society.
“Journalists are humans and need to be treated with respect and at the same time be given what rightfully belongs to them.” the release quotes RAL President, Cecelia Gilklay Clarke.
Madam Clarke used the opportunity to also call on media owners to ensure salary freedom for Reporters of Liberia.
According to her, one of the best freedoms is when Reporters of Liberia can be strong financially- something according to her when done will help her members to stand strong by doing the work they are already sacrificing to do.
The RAL President called on media executives to ensure that they make use of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which calls for media owners to pay their reporters at least 150 and above.
Even though the figure stipulated is far below the belt, yet it is not being adhered to.
Every year, the third of May is commemorated as World Press Freedom Day and is observed across the world by Journalists. This year, the World Press Freedom Day is celebrated under a general global theme,” Information as a Public Good.”