PHOTO: The Author
By Titus W. Tokpah, Sr.
Going through the opinion written by former Education Minister, George Warmer, on what he considers ‘The Decline of the Fourth Estate in Liberia: A Call for Responsibility’, you would certainly know that something fundamental is missing from his line of argument that puts mainstream journalism under the spotlight. The Decline Of the Fourth Estate In Liberia: A Call For Responsibility – News Public Trust
What is that missing link? Conflict in journalism is not just a news but one of the key elements of news. As someone who practices journalism and also breeds the next generation of media practitioners, journalism encompasses an interest in writing with a concern for issues that affect people and the world around them. Journalists do not write fiction.
A journalist reports on events and concerns of the day. We are trained to conduct research, find the facts, and write an objective and fair report. News is not just information but issues with unusual nature – a very key word for good journalism. Because the ‘Press was labeled the fourth estate to underscore its role as an independent force’ as Minister Warner rightly puts it in his critique, that’s why today’s media tries to religiously report on the leadership crisis involving two opposing blocs of the House of Representatives – HoR.
The Liberian media is playing its ‘watchdog’ role by keeping the public abreast of the HoR conflict, especially with the recent controversy over an official ‘invite’ extended the self-styled majority bloc Speaker Richard Koon to attend the just – held Ghana inauguration.
It is a conflict and a serious news when it was widely claimed that embattled Speaker HonCllr J Fonati Koffa was also invited to the same occasion, but fell short to display his invite. Is this what the former Minister called ‘neglect of the media’s watchdog role?’ I strongly disagree! It’s the work of good journalism to hold public officials accountable for what they do and say. When there are conflicting accounts of issues, the media comes in to investigate and present the facts, and the rest is left to the public to decide who’s saying the truth. After Speaker Koon’s’ bloc published its inaugural invite, the burden of proof was now on Speaker Koffa to do likewise or dismay that media propaganda, but his supporters kept claiming that he was also invited.
So, Minister Warner cannot rendered the media as ‘falling short of its duties’, when in the first place what the media did amount to best practice in journalism. The crux of the matter is not just an invite but the claims and counter -claims involving both blocs.
It’s also about claiming regional recognition and supremacy as the ‘legitimate Speaker’ of the House of Representatives. Let me ask Minister Warner, what are those ‘weighty matters’ you think that demand attention of the Liberian press than following up on a national internal conflict that is weighty of paralyzing the country’s governance?
As you ponder over your answers, Minister Warner, let me also hasten to remind you and other like-minded individuals that it’s not the work of you [public servants] to determine what makes news. Read ‘A Responsible Press Office in the Digital Age authored by Marguerite Sullivan, one of the US contemporary PRs. In that book which I also referenced in my first self – published PR Textbook, the author clearly dissects and distinguishes the roles of the Press, Government and PR officers.
And, one major takeaway relative to your critique of the media is news judgement is solely the responsibility of Journalism, not you or even the powerful. When you attempt to tell the Press what to report and what not to report, it borders on censoring the media. In advancing press freedom, censorship is globally prohibited because it supresses the work of the journalist. Like you cited the history of the Press in your write – up, you will certainly agree that censorship was one of government’s tactics used in the 18th century against the flourishing of journalism across the world. While it is true that the local media has some performance lapses like every other profession, I strongly disagree with the portion of your critique against reporting conflict – sensitive stories as they unfold. Conflict is News: The Media Cannot Ignore!
About The Author:
Publisher of ‘Image Building: A Researched – PR Guide’, Titus is a Liberian Journalist, Founder/Executive Director, MediaAid Foundation [Peter Quaqua School of Journalism – PQSJ], Currently Deputy Director of Communications, National Elections Commission of Liberia – NEC, Fellow, The International Visitor Leadership Program – IVLP, Washington D.C & SARFT Training Center, Beijing, China, a 2024 Nominee of Lonestar – MTN MoMo Heroes of Change. Titus is a Candidate of Masters of Arts in Teaching and has earned Masters of Public Administration in Public Sector [High Distinction] both from Cuttington University School of Graduate & Professional Studies. Bachelors of Business Administration – BBA in Management and Economics with emphasis on Human Resource from the University of Liberia, Associate of Arts in Education with emphasis on School Administration, Supervision & Leadership from the LICOSESS Mobile Teacher Training College, Certificates and Excellence in Journalism Awards, Media Studies and other Professional Disciplines. Titus can be reached at mediaaidfoundation@gmail.com, MediaAid.Foundation@facebook.com, mediaaidfoundation.websites.co or +231 886-256258/777-487755