-Want entity transformed into public service broadcaster
Workers of Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) are calling on the incoming CDC-led government to give much needed attention to the state broadcaster.
Prio to the 2017 elections, President-elect George Manneh Weah has been operating his private broadcast outlets—Kings Fm and Clar TV.
LBS Workers Union in a statement on Thursday appealed to the incoming Executive and Legislative Branches to support the state broadcaster, so that it can be more effective and efficient in the dissemination of information to the Liberian people.
‘’Currently, employees at the National Broadcaster (LBS) are the slightest paid in the Sub-region as compared to their professional colleagues a situation that needs to be addressed,” the statement said.
The Liberia Broadcasting System Workers’ Union further called on the incoming 54th National Legislature to fast track the passage of a bill to make LBS a Public Broadcaster.
The transformation of the Liberia Broadcasting System into a Public Service Broadcaster has been languishing at the House of Representatives for almost nine years now.
It was first submitted to the 51stLegislature together with a bill to establish an Independent Broadcast Regulator and the Freedom of Information Act in 2008 by the Press Union of Liberia and partners.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Broadcasting System Workers’ Union is extolling President-elect Weah’s victory in the December 26, 2017 presidential run-off election victory over the ruling Unity Party of Vice President Joseph Boakai.
LIBSWU wants the CDC-led government under Weah to focus on national healing, reconciliation peace and development as a means of moving Liberia forward.
The state broadcaster’s worker are also commending the UP Standard Bearer of the ruling UP, Boakai for conceding defeat.
They said the move by Vice President Boakai which is first in the political history of Liberia signifies that Liberia’s emerging democracy is maturing and called on all Liberians to reflect on his historicalspeech in making their country a batter place on the continent of Africa.
The LBS workers thanked President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her role played in maintaining a peaceful Liberia for 12 years of rebuilding Liberia’s image among the comity of nations.
And they commended the Liberian people for the peaceful participation in the polls, urging them to join hands, work together and put their political differences behind them.
LIBWSU also praised the Regional Block ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and European Union including the United States Government and other friendly countries for their numerous supports given Liberia during the entire electoral process.
“Their supports had built Liberia’s democracy and helped greatly in the overall socio-economic development of this country” LIBSWU release concluded.
The Liberia Broadcasting System Workers’ Union, formerly the Liberia Broadcasting Workers’ Association, got Union Status in 2013, under the leadership of Maxwell Johnson, as President.
The union is now in negotiation with the LBS management to sign a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the LBS management.
The Union recently participated in the National Convention of the National Labour Congress of Liberia, where its current President Moses K. Dorbor served on the Grievance Committee that ushered in a new leadership for that organization. Report by Alfred Kollie