As Gov’t Hosts 2nd Annual Presidential Media Dinner, While Pres. Boakai Urges Media To Tell Liberia’s Stories To The World In A Truthful, Responsible, Balance And Professional Way
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., newspublictrust@gmail.com
It was more than just wining and dining with delicious food and beverages–the 2nd Presidential Media Dinner.
Held over the weekend at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia’s Congo Town suburb was punctuated by real-good music and display of spectacular cultural performances by some of Liberia’s best artists and comedians, including Sundagar Dearboy and Joseph Dean.
Amidst the eating and drinking were remarks that struck a chord, warranting headline stories for the various news outlets converged in the beautifully decorated Ballroom of the Chinese-built US$60 million complex given to Liberia several years ago by the People’s Republic of China as gift to the government and people of Liberia.
FeJAL criticizes Boakai’s sacking of female Defense & Commerce Ministers
One of the brief remarks came from the President of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), Lisa Diasay,
She took President Boakai to task for his latest decision to sack two female cabinet Ministers just less than 28 hours before the dinner—Defense Minister, Retired Gen. Geraldine George Johnson and Commerce Minister, Magdalene Dagoseh without explanation.
Criticizing the action, she said it was troubling because the President’s move has reduced the number of Ministers in his “rescue” government from 9 to 7.
The FeJAL President was also critical of the Liberian government for not being gender balance in its selection of Journalists who accompany President Boakai on foreign trips, saying that the Executive Mansion needs to be gender sensitive and increase the number of female Journalists on trips abroad.
Ms. Daisey reechoed calls for support to improve the Liberian media economy, proposing that the media be factored in the country’s national fiscal budget, coining it as “the media sustainability public interest fund”.
Pres. Boakai acknowledges Journalists sacrifices but urges responsible, balance & professional reportage
President Boakai, who took the podium later, made no reference to the criticism by the head of FeJAL.
The Liberian leader spoke of the sacrifices made by Journalists in the nation building process, saying that Journalism is a public service and Journalists make sacrifices and take personal risk in their line of duty.
Boakai Urged Liberian Journalists to tell the Liberian stories in a truthful, balance and responsible way to the rest of the world that would hold people accountable.
“Tonight, I return to this table not only to renew that commitment, but also to express my sincere appreciation to the men and women who continue to serve Liberia through journalism,” the Liberian leader said.
But the President challenged the Journalists to report the truth, in order to help shape the national conversation.
President Boakai said his government is opened to honest conversation run by a media that is credible
Professional ethics and responsibility must never be taken lightly, reminding the media not to forget about the Table Mountain Agreement, the Liberian leader noted.
“This government will never muzzle or control the media,” he reiterated.
President Boakai restated his commitment to running an open government and maintaining a good relationship with the media, but stressed that such relationship must be based on mutual respect.
PUL Pres. Kanubah notes progress in promoting press freedom but frowns on stalling transforming LBS into public broadcaster—could undermine Boakai’s legacy
Earlier, Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President, Julius Kanubah raised an interesting question in his brief remark at the 2nd presidential dinner: “What would be the media legacy of President Boakai’s administration?”
He first began by stating that Liberia has made notable progress in promoting press freedom and freedom of expression in recent times, citing the coming into force of the Kamara A. Kamara (KAK) Act that has decriminalized speech in the country.
Kanubah reminded the Liberian leader about promise to make Liberia Broadcasting System a public broadcaster that would give voice to all sides in the country–Yet to see signs of reforming LBS.
He called President Boakai’s attention to the declining media economy in Liberia today, stressing the need to engage the government towards coming up with media sustainability Act, adding that “credible Journalism remains the lifeblood and oxygen of sustainable democracy”.
The head of the PUL also rallied the Liberian President’s support to the PUL headquarters construction project, though he recalled that previous US$100,000.00 donated several years ago by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf later “turned into a curse”. The huge sum of money given by the former Liberian leader was reportedly misappropriated, with calls for accountability for the alleged misappropriation of the donated funds.
Information Min. Piah: Dark days over, Boakai Gov’t “remains resolute” in upholding press freedom, free speech
Mounting the podium earlier was Information Minister, Jerolinmek Piah who said the objective of the annual presidential media dinner was to provide a forum aimed at forging understanding and collaboration with the Liberian media.
He declared that the Boakai government “remains resolute” in upholding press freedom and free speech
“The dark days of government crackdown on the media are behind us,” and added that no Journalist has been jailed by the current government. He recommitted the government to encouraging and supporting press freedom and freedom of expression.
However, the Liberian Information Minister was quick to drew the attention of the PUL to what he called growing threat to the country’s peace and stability, as a result of the spread of “unverified information” in some local media outlets.
Minister Piah then called on the PUL to take urgent steps to some of the unethical practices, which could cause serious consequences for the country’s peace and stability.
“We need each other to develop Liberia,” the Information Minister pointed out.
Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoh also briefly spoke at the occasion, reaffirming that the Boakai government is strongly committed to protecting and promoting press freedom and free speech.
“This government is prepared to be accessible to the media,” Minister of State assured.
Closer relationship between local media and Boakai Gov’t
Alphonso Toweh, President of the Publishers Association of Liberia also spoke of a closer relationship now existing between the Boakai government and the press, but was quick to say that the Liberian media is going through serious economic crisis.
He told the Liberian leader: “The media is dying…we are struggling. The media need help…this doesn’t mean you are buying the media.”
Also making brief remark at the presidential dinner was veteran Liberian Journalist and owner of Power TV/Radio, Aaron Kollie, who declared the mainstream media will continue to remain professional in their discharge of their duties.
But the Infinity Corporation called on President Boakai to stick to his “wise utterance” in his recent address to the nation, when he promised that there will be no sacred cow in the government’s ongoing fight against narcotic drugs.
Among the array of prominent media veterans and executives who attended the 2nd presidential media dinner on Saturday, September 12, 2026 were the Publisher of the Daily Observer newspaper, Kenneth Y. Best; the Publisher of the Images magazine, Sando Moore; former Press Secretary to ex-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cyrus Badio; veteran Liberian broadcast Journalists and members of the Board of LBS, Olivia Shannon and Big Sister Hawa; former PUL President Charles Coffey, among others.