On Monday, December 17, 2018, a local Liberian icon – the Daily Talk news blackboard – was relaunched in Monrovia by U.S.Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, Christine Elder.
The Daily Talk blackboard in Sinkor, Monrovia, has been an historic fixture for citizens travelling along Tubman Boulevard since 2000.
Throughout its history, Daily Talk has evolved along with the citizens walking and driving past it daily; surviving civil war and welcoming new governments with feisty dialogue and open debate through this interactive blackboard, according to the USSAID-funded Liberia Media Development (LMD) project, Internews.
One evening about two months ago, the Daily Talk blackboard and news booth were rammed by a car, and while no one was injured, this lively local hub of information, debate and discussion, was put out of action. The media and local citizens condemned this damage as an act of vandalism, and speculation about motivation circulated.
Alfred J. Sirleaf (no relation to President Sirleaf), founded his blackboard newspaper in 2000 because of his belief that a well-informed citizenry is the key to the rebirth of Liberia after decades of civil war. This is not the first time this Town Crier was put out of action. In 2005 government soldiers destroyed the blackboard, and this recent act of vandalism is stark reminder of darker times for Sirleaf and local fans of the Daily Talk.
Sirleaf compiles his stories daily from newspaper reports and messages from volunteer correspondents. The Daily Talk is free to read and is funded by occasional gifts of cash and pre-paid cellphone cards. It has a suggestion box for readers.
Sirleaf along, with a thriving Liberian media sector, believe access to information is the key to peace for Liberia. USAID and the US Government in Liberia also support a pluralistic, open and free media as a corner stone of this developing democracy.
To this end USAID in Liberia has funded Internews Network to implement the Liberia Media Development Program. Today’s re-launch of Daily Talk was possible due to support from the LMD program. LMD supports a raft of media and civil society activities that contribute to strengthening a professional and vibrant media environment.
For example the Daily Talk news update today shares information about a national electoral reform dialogue taking shape as a result of government, civil society, media and citizens feedback on the 2017 elections. This national dialogue is supported by USAID and would not be relevant to ordinary citizens across the nation if it were not for the diversity of media that exists across the entire nation, from local Town Criers such as Sirlief to national newspapers, radio, TV, online media and local community radio stations.
LMD Chief of Party, Jan McArthur welcomed Ambassador Elder and Alfred Sirleaf to cut the ribbon launching today’s ceremony of the renovated Daily Talk blackboard and booth.
McArthur commented “USAID research tells us that Freedom of Speech is a value that all Liberian’s hold dear, from every corner of this nation. The gains the Liberian media, and citizens, have made over recent decades to protect freedom expression and freedom of association have been hard fought, and shine out as unique, compared to many other countries in this region, and even globally. These gains should be treasured and not taken for granted.”
McArthur added “the role of the USAID LMD program is to support media play a responsible and constructive role in providing a public forum for open dialogue between citizens, community leaders and government.”
LMD partners with Liberian media to promote tolerance and ensure differing opinions are shared without fear of reprisal. LMD also supports a range of media agencies, lawyers, civil society leaders and community leaders to provide avenues for disputes resolution, including the newly established and voluntary National Media Council.
McArthur added “it is our hope that the LMD media law work we are doing with Liberian media leaders, the PUL, CEMESP, the Judiciary, the Law School and Bar Association, will contribute to constructive dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflict that arises within, or in relation to what is reported in the media.”