As It Equips Journalists With Knowledge To Combat Money Laundering And Terrorist Financing
PHOTO: Participants, Facilitators and FIA officials pose for picture
MONROVIA – In a strategic move to safeguard Liberia’s economic stability and national security, a one-day intensive training workshop has equipped 25 Liberian journalists with specialized knowledge to investigate and report on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/P).
These illicit financial activities are identified as significant threats that undermine democratic institutions, fuel corruption, and hinder the nation’s sustainable development. The workshop aimed to bridge a critical knowledge gap, positioning the media as an informed watchdog and public educator in the fight against financial crime.
Speaking after the training, Mr. Mohammed Ali Nasser, Officer-In-Charge of the Financial Intelligence Agency of Liberia (FIA), emphasized the critical partnership between the media and financial regulators.
“The media is our indispensable ally in the fight against financial crime,” stated Mr. Nasser. “An informed journalist is the first line of defense in educating the public, unmasking illicit activities, and holding institutions accountable. This training is not just about building capacity; it is about building a united front to protect the integrity of our financial system and our nation’s future.”
The project’s overarching goal was to strengthen the capacity of Liberian journalists to understand, investigate, and report on these complex issues.
The training brought together a diverse cross-section of 25 mid to senior-level journalists, editors, and producers from 25 leading electronic, print, and online media institutions across the country.
Selected participants were drawn from a wide array of outlets, including ELBC Radio, ECOWAS Radio, Front Page Africa Newspaper, The Inquirer, Daily Observer, Truth FM, KMTV, the Liberia News Agency (LINA), and others such as Women Voices Newspaper, The Hot Pepper, and online platforms like Smart News and Public Trust Newspaper.
By the end of the workshop, participants gained the skills to define and differentiate between Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing. They also gained an understanding of the national and international legal frameworks governing these crimes.
Furthermore, the training enabled journalists to identify the typologies, red flags, and potential sources for investigating illicit financial flows. A key component was explaining the role and functions of the FIA.
The workshop employed participatory and practical learning methodologies, including expert presentations, analysis of real and hypothetical case studies, group discussions, and hands-on reporting exercises.
The expected outcomes of this initiative are significant. Organizers anticipate that the 25 trained journalists will drive increased and more accurate media coverage of financial crimes in Liberia. The workshop is also expected to strengthen collaboration between the media, the FIA, and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), creating a cohort of journalists capable of producing informed reports that can influence policy and public opinion.
At the same time, Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President, Julius Kanubah; Frank Sainworla, Managing Publisher of the Public Trust Media online; and two senior FIA staff members, Sonkarlay Gonkartee and Amos Goba, all made practical presentations during the one-day AML/CFT training held at the FIA’s headquarters.